[When one demands honesty and truth, its only fitting that the one making that demand do the same. And its the first time she's been truly honest with not just him, but with herself. Since returning to the Tower she'd never gave herself the time to recover. To think on what had happened and the effects it surely had. Because if she did, that fragility that she was so careful to conceal would be exposed for all to see. Would damage her reputation of being a strong, confident Turk.

With everything now out in the open, Elena doesn't bother to try and expect any particular reaction - it was hard to given the type of information that was being laid bare. The horrors and monsters and darkness that lay hidden in their pasts, that bled into the Tower. It should have made it easier to accept that one, simple phrase. But it doesn't. It, instead, penetrates through her calm, through her collected veneer, through protective barriers around her heart, and buries itself deep into her core.

Instinct pushes her forward, almost literally, and she's a warm presence against his back. Arms curl protectively around his shoulders, holding him against her, giving him a moment to recognize that she's touching him before shifting. Knees scrape against the ground as she moves around him, arms never once releasing him from their grip, until she is kneeling beside him. Pulling him towards her, to rest his head against her chest, creating a protective shield around him with her arms circling around him.]

Oh...Minerva bless you, Reno.... May all the Summons bless you...

[She places several soft kisses atop his head, atop hands buried in his hair. There's something that was meant to be a chuckle but failed to be one, instead sounding more of a hitch in her breath. A broken sob that was swallowed. She presses her cheek against the top of his head, using red strands to hide the wetness that stung at her eyes.]

You don't have to do that anymore... I'm here. I'm not going away...