Vanessa had rarely been open with anyone. Allowing Javik to see her past, to help him understand, showed how much trust she had in him. It was a step into the open ocean she loved so much, not knowing if she would drown. But trust...trust would keep her afloat. Leaning into his touch, her breath hitched, fingers gripping a bit tighter at his shoulders.

She took what he showed her, in return, feeling it settle in her. There was a tiny shift in Amunet, one of possessive, but it dissipated quickly. Vanessa was not a fool; she knew some of their emotions overlapped. And Vanessa coveted. She always had--always wanted to grip onto the things she had gained tightly. But the happy memories--knowing that Javik even had them, felt good.

Once he started to pull up the final layer, her hands met his, and she helped him remove it, her dark hair cascading down her bare back once it was finally free from the clothing. She tossed it to the ground, and stood before him, completely naked, and vulnerable, the firelight casting shadows around her.

"And there we are. Equal."