"I'm not lying." That was all he could say, as he looked into her eyes, seeing the pain that she held so deep in her heart. She didn't believe him. She thought he was lying to her. And she was right. But Kuronotsurugi didn't want her to know that. He wanted her to believe him, to fall for it. Fall for the lie he was falling for himself. That he was alright. That he was okay. And she would be too. That she was better off without him there with her in her life, that he was a burden, no good, rotten to the core. And, in a way, all of those things he thought about himself, all those things that everyone else said about him, were true. He WAS terrible. He WAS a burden. And, he WAS no good, not for her, nor for his brother or father or mother, not for anyone. Not even himself.<br/><br/>So, when she said all those things, pleading wit him not to leave, to not lie, he could only look back, quietly drink her words, devour her pain and let it all flow through him, numbing everything else he felt within. The guilt no longer tugged at his heart, the uncertainty was just a dull ache, and every little doubt he had for his decisions had all but drifted away. The only thing he felt was empty, cold, and miserable. But the face he'd put on showed none of that, and not even with her expert eyes could she see the darkness that stirred behind his eyes, the void that threatened to swallow him whole, body and soul.<br/><br/>"I know you won't give up...You never do. Even now, after all that I've done..." He reaches forward, and gently lifts her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look at him. Wiping away her tears with a gentle touch, he looks into her eyes, his own holding some false sense of comfort, a lie that even he believed. He loved her. But was that the truth? If he truly loved her...would he be doing this to her? Perhaps not. Yet again, maybe he would. With a heart like his, anything was possible. But for now, the facade would have to be held high, to be solid, and played right. Just a little longer, and then he could erase his past, everything that has happened up til now. And give her the life she deserved. One free of tears, of heartbreak, and of uncertainty. Because he knew, deep down...he was not the right one for her. No matter how deeply she might feel.<br/><br/>Taking a deep, calming breath, he speaks, softly, but firmly. "I'm here. With you now. And it's going to stay that way." He looks deep in her eyes, seeing all those mixed up emotions, toiling like a raging sea within her. If only she could see past the wall he'd put up in his own eyes, barricading all the things he thought, all the things he felt. But she would only see what he wanted her to. For now. "I'm not alone...and neither are you. We're here. Together. And I promise...I'm not going anywhere." He made his words sincere, his eyes showing that false truth completely and truly. If he had any sense of shame, right then he probably would have ended himself, for telling such an unforgivable lie.<br/><br/>He then wraps his arms around her this time, holding her close to his chest, bundling her up against him. Their bodies fit perfectly together, and no doubt she could hear the faint beating of his heart in his chest. For a moment, he stays like this, before looking down at her. "What must I do...to prove to you...?" Even though something wanted to hold him back, to tie him away and keep him from this choice, he was willing to do just about anything to solidify her trust in him, to make concrete in her mind that he was here to stay. He didn't want her to know anything about his choices, but to believe, full hearted, that he was going to be there for her. And, just to himself...he knew, that even when he did go...he was still going to be there for her.<br/><br/>Leaning down, tilting her head back again, he brings his face lower, so that for a moment, just a moment...seconds pass as their lips were a breath away from the other...until he places his own on hers. Softly, gently, but firm at the same time, he kisses her. He wanted her to believe...so he'd do anything he could. Even if it meant going against his inner wishes. One of his hands lowers itself to rest upon her back, tracing down her spine as it does. The other moves to the back of her neck, cupping her skull gently in his palm, fingers trailing through her hair. The kiss in itself was passionate, and to be honest, surprised even himself that he could do something like this.<br/><br/>After what seemed like forever, he pulls away, looking into her eyes. He doesn't move far, and no doubt she could feel his breath upon her lips. "Please...don't cry...I'm not leaving." He pauses, pulling her even further against him, so their hearts beat against each other. "I love you..." He then kisses her again, and this time there was more to it. A certain...longing, a certain passion that Kuronotsurugi felt deep within his blackened heart. He wanted her, and yet, at the same time, he knew he couldn't. It wouldn't work, not with his plans. And he'd already sunk so deep in that black tar pit that there was no way he was getting out again. And yet, as he kissed her there, her lips warm, tasting slightly salty from the tears she'd shed...he couldn't help but to want her more. And that...was the most painful thing.