All Humans Make Mistakes

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

Two months ago, Magda had been a single mother trying to adjust to the idea that she might never see her huband again. Then, just over a month ago he had come back! Almost. Erik had come back in body, but not in spirit and not in mind. Not fully. He didn't often eat, and spend a lot of time alone with his thoughts. She wanted him to reach out to his friends, but Erik wanted little to do with anything out of the house. Beyond these walls there was nothing for him.

She knew it would take, and she was ready to give it too him. She understood, as much as she could, that this would be a long road. However, Nina was young and didn't understand. Magda had tried to explain to her that for Papa it was like having a nightmare, but he couldn't wake up from. That he would need time to heal before he could be like Papa again. She didn't know how much time, but Nina seemed to understand. She would sometimes try to talk to him and hug him. She would ask him to sing to her, and Magda knew it broke her heart when he couldn't. She knew it had to hurt Erik too. This would be a hard road for them, but Erik had found happiness once with them without using his powers. Surely he could remember that they loved the man and not the powers. That they didn't need Magneto--they needed Papa to love them. Nothing else mattered.

Magda was working on some sewing, and had was sitting on the couch with her stocking over feet propped up on the other end. Nina was playing with a mouse she had found, and explaining why he could not live in the house. Erik was in the other room, and Magda wished he could be here. If only to just sit here with them. "Nina, why don't you take your new friend outside?" She told her, "Then maybe get ready for bed?" Nina smiled "Can I give him some bread?" Laughing softly Magda agreed, "If you must, my love."

Nina hurried out to get the bread and take her pet with her, Nina must have wanted to show Pap her new friend, because Magda noticed that Nina walked toward the other room rather then the door outside. Smiling she kept working on her sewing, hoping that it helped them both to talk about something Erik loved so much in his daughter.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Erik wasn't even sure why he was bothering. They had tried every imaginable test on him. Every account of torture to pull out his pain and rage to see if it would cause a reaction of powers. It hadn't. Nothing had. Perhaps it was his stubborn mind, unable to accept that this was it. That his powers had been forcibly stripped from him. He had a number tattooed on him to represent conformity and the stripping of his identity . . . yet this, was far worse. Done in a far worse way. He was nothing without his mutant abilities. Everything he stood for, everything he believed in . . . derived from his powers. To fight for mutant rights -- despite the fact that he had lived in peace with his family for all those years.

But having the option to return to battle oppression had made him content and happy. Yet now, he had none of that. The trauma of the past two years -- and perhaps triggering all his previous ones from his childhood -- seemed to be surfacing. But still, he foolishly tried. It was a coin. A simple, damn coin. His hand hovered over it, trembling with how much energy and effort he was putting into it.

The strain on his body, the mental exhaustion . . . for nothing was coming out. He must have been trying for over an hour but finally got fed up. Feeling that rage surfacing, he unleashed it. His hands swept over everything on the desk, throwing it to the ground as he let out a sound of anger. Sharply turning his head he saw Nina in the door way. The door had been closed and he hadn't even heard it open.

"Get out!" His voice was not a yell, but it was sharp, angry . . . a tone he never ever would even think to use with his daughter. He looked at her long enough to see the tears well up in her eyes as she turned and ran away. Erik's hands went to press on the table, his head hanging between his shoulders as he felt that same self loathing he'd felt the moment he'd returned to his family. He knew the way he was treating them, and he hated the way he was . . . but he couldn't stop himself. It was as if he had no control over anything anymore.

The anger over the situation, the anger at himself for making his daughter cry like that . . . not even sure what to say to comfort her, caused him to raised his hand in a clenched fist and slam it into the table, breaking part of it. He was numbed to any pain, for his hands were useless. Worthless. Powerless. Remaining in the study for only a little while longer, he went to wash the blood from his knuckles, terrified to admit though it had indeed entered his mind . . . that his powers would not be returning.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

Magda heard quick feet and looked up to see Nina crying and running to her. She dropped the needle and cloth just in time to catch her daughter--and hear the sound of something break int he other room. First, Nina. Magda used a gentle voice to help her calm down, and held her while she rocked her in her arms. At almost ten, it was growing hard to hold Nina like a little child, but Magda would forever try. Taking Nina outside they let the mouse go, and Magda helped her change her clothes, wash her face and climb into bed. She knew it would be hard for her to go asleep tonight, but Magda asked her to try. Offering to stay and sing to Nina, Nina shook her head and just wanted to go to bed. It broke Magda's heart to see her daughter try to be brave or maybe she was just hurt.

Once Nina was in bed, Magda walked into the living room and picked up her sewing, putting it int he basket and butting the basket away. Magda could hear him in the kitchen, and paused for a moment to take a deep breath before walking in and seeing him washing the blood from his hand. She was angry. Angry at the people who did this to her family. Angry at the world who making it alright for doing this. And Angry for her daughter. He had given up everything once to make sure she was safe and unharmed--and now the only person int he world who could her was him.

"Are you going to tell her goodnight?" Magda asked in neither English or PPolish, so he would know that she didn't want Nina to understand this, even if she accidentally overheard it. She was trying to protect her daughter. From the world.

From her father. From this.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Erik heard Magda enter the kitchen, though he did not look in her direction. A huge part of his averted gaze was due to shame. The shame of his inability to be strong, or worthy. He finished washing the blood from his knuckles, uncaring if it would heal or not. Her question filled the air and he still made no attempt to look at her. Their daughter. He let the silence linger before he finally answered.

"She doesn't need to hear anything else from me tonight." The words more hatred towards himself for making her cry like that, afraid of not being able to give her what she wanted, when before, he would give her the entire world if she asked for it. She would ask him to sing, he couldn't. She would ask him to read a story, he couldn't. He responded to Magda in German, the language she had spoken to him in and he knew why. Because Nina may still be awake. Turning, around he walked right past Magda as he continued to speak. "I'll speak to her in the morning," he said, not so much as stopping to tell her, but rather, just mentioning it in passing, trying to avoid this entire conversation yet he knew, it may be inevitable.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

He walked past her, his words hurtful and almost dismissive. Magda stood there for a moment stunned as he dismissed talking to his daughter. She knew that he was withdrawing from his family and if he wanted to do it to her, he could. She had see Erik in various parts of his life. She knew what his tempers and his emotions were like. But Nina only saw her father yelling at her and pulling away from. Nina questioned why Pap didn't hold her or sing to her. She didn't want Nina to question his love for her.

With a slight sniff from the almost tears, Magda turned and followed his trail through the house, knowing where he was going. "Don't walk away from me, Erik!" Her tone was soft, but firm. Hurt more then angry right now. "I know you are hurting! I can't imagine what you are going through--but neither can Nina!" A reminder that just because he was lost in the woods of his own mind, that they were feeling it too. His daughter! The little girl who loved him above everything in this world, was in her bed sad, or even crying, because her father couldn't look at her! Much less hold her.

She wanted him to look at her, and hold this conversation because she was not walking out until he knew that he could not treat Nina this way. She'd draw the line there. He needed to try with her--even if he couldn't try with his wife.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

She followed him, as he expected and told him not to walk away from her. Yes. That was fair. Understandable. He stopped walking but didn't turn to face her as she acknowledged his hurt, and told him she couldn't imagine what he was going through and . . . neither could Nina. Yes. He knew everything she was saying was true; that Nina could did not deserve his, angered words. She didn't understand the depth of the emotional pain.

But, Erik knew that he was not the only one hurting. "And I know you are too," he said turning around, his voice holding a great deal of emotion, anger at himself rather than soft acknowledgement. "And I know Nina is too," he added on, aware of how his actions were hurting his family. "And I can't, stop it." He had lost control, of everything. His voice exasperated, angry . . . defeated. Something that Erik had never quite felt in his entire life. "I don't know how to stop it." He was not one who ever held suicidal thoughts but the facility had killed Magneto, and he wasn't sure what semblance of a man was left after that.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

He didn't look at her right away. Erik did, however, start talking. Which she was grateful for, and his words were unexpected. "And I know you are too," Yes, she was, but for Magda this wasn't about her pain. She'd tried to hide it from Erik--that his pulling back broke her heart each time he did. She wanted to be there for her family, and the only way Magda knew how was to give. She didn't know how to ask for what she needed like that. Echos of the damage done to them as children. She had to believe that wish some time, Erik would find his way back to her. "And I know Nina is too," Yes, damage she didn't want her daughter to know. "And I can't, stop it." Stop Nina's pain, or his own? "I don't know how to stop it." Maybe even both?

He was looking at her now, and her heart hurt for him. Hurt for how he was hurting. For how much she was hurting. "You have to hold on to the good things in your life." She told him, wanting to reach out to him, but needing to keep her purpose for this conversation. She kept to German since Nina didn't speak it. "Nina loves you. You are the most important person to her!" Along with Magda. She knew that but she wanted him focusing on his daughter. Maybe he could try for Nina. "She just wants your love, Erik. She wants you to hold her, and talk to her. Tuck her in, again." Small things to help Nina remember her father in the good ways. "We don't love just parts of you, Erik. I know you lost something in that hell of a place. I wish I could have spared you that. . . . but we are just glad we didn't loose you." Had they lost him? She had to believe they hadn't.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Hold onto the good things. He was trying. He had tried. Yet so many times, he kept losing them. He remained silent, taking in her words, speaking of Nina and how he was important to her. How she wanted his love, to hold her, tuck her in. He didn't know how to do that anymore; he didn't know how to give her the love she deserved . . . the love he still felt, yet could no longer express. It was the same way with Magda. It was her latter words that he finally replied to, after remaining silent for the duration of her response.

"Didn't you?" He asked, practically rhetorically when she commented on how she was glad that they didn't lose him. "I didn't just loose something in that place, Magda. I lost myself." He hadn't talked about what happened in there, but she knew the most important part: she knew that he had lost his powers. He had lost what made him survive the camps. He had lost what has made him resilient, and survive for all these years. He had lost what gave him worth and purpose in the world.

"I am not Erik. I am not Magneto. I am not even the monster that Shaw unleashed all those years ago." In the camps, when he had gone by a different name. "I can't even be a father or a husband." Both roles he was severely failing at. "I am. . . nothing." His voice holding that same defeat, and unnerving composure as if he truly felt dead on the inside. They had tried to bring him down so many times before, tried to defeat him and this time, they had. "And perhaps it is time to accept that." Perhaps it was time to accept that his powers would never be returning.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

While he hadn't given anything way about what happened in that two years he was gone, this might be the most he had really--honestly--said about it. "Didn't you?" She had to believe she hadn't. "I didn't just loose something in that place, Magda. I lost myself." She could understand that. She knew this would take time, all she was asking--demanding--right now was that it not come at the cost of his relationship with his daughter. "I am not Erik. I am not Magneto. I am not even the monster that Shaw unleashed all those years ago." Her brows bent, wondering if that was how he saw himself. As a monster then."I can't even be a father or a husband. I am. . . nothing." Her heat was hurting, and she wanted to hug him, but didn't know if he would accept it.

"And perhaps it is time to accept that." Because she knew she wouldn't accept this.

"Erik, I didn't fall in love with a monster. I didn't fall in love with Magneto. Nina has never known either. You've never needed Either to be strong. What made you a good man, a good husband, and a good father was love. I know that right now you are hurting, and lost, and even scared. I'm not asking to you wake up tomorrow and pretend it didn't happen. I am asking you to try. Talk to Nina. Let her goodness help you remember that there is some good and wonderful things worth living for. Talk to me!" Her voice broke from some tears and she paused to inhale and keep her voice steady. "Talk to me. Let me help you bare this. Let me help you find Erik again."

She knew it was a risk. He might not be ready to be held, but she took it. Stepping slowly closer she reached her hand out for his, but going slow so he could pull away if he needed. She knew that he could well pull away. "Magneto didn't make you strong. He made you a weapon to fight. Erik made you strong. Your heart made you strong. And I will always fight for your heart, Erik. Nina will always seek out her Papa's heart . . . So no one here is willing to accept you are gone. . . ." But he had to try--or they were only going to get buried under the weight of this.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

A monster. That was what he had always believed Shaw created him to be, until he learned the science behind it. The reasons. And, the fact that he hadn't been the only one. Yet, none of that seemed to matter anymore. He knew he should find peace and comfort in her words but all that was left was the bitter emptiness of . . . nothingness. Of once again, losing his identity. Of losing that purpose. Which, he knew full well should be his wife and daughter. The conflict just made him more distressed and frustrated with himself. Truly having felt like he lost a piece of who he was. Everything he had worked towards, so much that defined him . . . ripped away.

"And what am I supposed to say to her?" He asked, somewhat rhetorically. The words more filled with more hurt than anger. "I can't even look at her." Because, he felt ashamed. Worthless. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes, trying to fight them back. "I can't even look at . . ." You. The unfinished word implied, spoken as a defeated breath . . . and this time, he could not stop that tear from falling from his eyes. But she wanted him to talk to her, she wanted him to be honest . . . he owed her that. No matter how hard the words were to say, or hear. "I have never felt so worthless in my entire life." Not when he was lying on the table while Shaw did his tests. Not, ever. Until now.

"And I hate that I do because I know I have a wife, and daughter." Recognizing those roles yet unable to stop the pain. The emptiness. When, he should feel fulfilled by their love, as Magda had said. And it only intensified his feelings of self loathing and hatred. He shook his head a little, as if that was all the had the strength to get out right now, looking away from Magda, and forcing back any more tears. "Part of me wishes you would accept it. So that I don't burden you or Nina." With this . . . pain. With this state he was in. He knew it was a strain on his family, and that he was doing far more harm than good.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

He didn't pull away from her touch but nor did he seemed to even acknowledge it. It was like he hadn't even realized that she took his hand a moment ago, and kept working inside his own head. It worried he that he didn't react, but Magda didn't let him go either. She wasn't going to ask him to do this alone. He couldn't look at Nina, he couldn't look at . . . her? Because they were whole and he didn't think he was? She wondered why he couldn't look at them. What had they done to him there? She wanted to ask but he'd never talked about it, and she hadn't wanted to press. Would that help him heal? Talking about it? Was she hindering his growth by not asking more of him?

She knew this wasn't something she could fully understand. She had never seen the hate he had in this world. She tried to think of it as someone taking away her culture, or language. Something that defined her. Yet she still couldn't understand the dept of this. "Erik, I will never stop fighting for you. I am never walking away from you. I love you. When I married you I promised to love you in hard times as well as the good. This will take time." Lifting her hand up to his cheek she tried to encourage him to take a small step by looking at her.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

He wanted to find comfort in her words, in her touch. Perhaps deep down, he knew it was there. But at this moment, he felt only the loss of himself. The stripping of his identity. He wanted so desperately to believe her that time would heal this. He was coming to terms that his powers would not return, but could time truly heal the wounds that it left him with? The scars? He swallowed, not wanting to argue. Not wanting to tell her that he couldn't accept this . . . that he was struggling to accept this. His burden was his presence. He didn't want to dump more of his troubles on her. The details of what had happened inside that facility, and what he truly felt that left his heart broken. Defeated.

That she told him she would never walk away from him, but could she truly live with him like this? He knew what he was doing and as he said, he couldn't stop himself. He didn't know how. He glanced at her, though wasn't able to hold eye contact for long. All he could do was give a slight nod, feeling drained from the snippets of the inner workings of his mind. Dumping them on her, and continuing to despise himself for not being able to seek comfort from her words. For her touch to not be enough to get him through each night, and each day. "I'm sorry." Was all he could say. Genuine words, but not nearly enough. He was sorry for yelling, and for not being the husband she deserved, nor the father than Nina deserved. "I should . . . " Get to bed. Though he had spent more and more nights on the couch. "It's been a long day." For both of them.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

He looked at her! It was a small victory but it made her smile softly! This was working! Slow, but working! Her hand moved back to brush his hair back, and she placed a soft kiss on his chin. She wanted him to come to bed with her. They hadn't made love since he got back, and Magda knew that he had needed time. Yet, maybe if he felt her love for him it could start finding his way back to her. She knew it wouldn't be right away but maybe it could start the journey!

"Lets go to bed, Erik," Magda offered, her voice making it clear that she was offering more. "Let me hold you," love him. Be with him. Even if he wasn't ready to make love she could hold him and help keep the nightmares away. Taking his hand she gave it a small welcoming tug, and took a few steps back to lead him toward the door of the study so they could walk to their bedroom.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Erik wanted that too. Of course he did. How could he not want to be with his wife? How could he not want to make love to her? For even in this current state of mind, he could pick up on the implications of her words. He wanted to feel . . . alive. And perhaps, this would allow him to be. To regain some semblance of a life to be shared with his wife. For the effects of to translate over to his daughter and being a good father to her. So yes, he wanted it and wanted to be what a husband should tonight. Where he had failed in the role before, he did not wish to do so now. He silently moved with her, saying nothing as they crossed the study to go upstairs.

How long it had been since he touched her. Since they undressed one another. Since they joined their bodies. There was anticipation building within him, but not in the same way it once had. He supposed, nothing was the same as it had been before. As they moved towards the room, Erik briefly glanced at the door to Nina's bedroom before making his way with Magda into theirs. She closed the door behind them and Erik just turned to look at her.

Ordinarily, he would not waste a moment, unless in teasing. He would carry her to the bed, or shed themselves of clothing on the way there. He would hear her laugh, before the air filled with sounds of their need and pleasure. But now, that same zeal was lacking. He sat on the edge of the bed, his mind overthinking each step. Each move he made, and each one she did. Surely, this wasn't how it was supposed to be. But he knew that right now, he was relying on Magda to lead the way . . . and he could most certainly finish.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

She knew he was having a hard time, and it became even more evident as they walked to the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed, and Magda's heart broke for him. He was hurting so much right now. Walking toward him, she framed his face with her hands gently, and smiled softly while looking into his eyes. There she could see how much he was hurting. "Erik, I love you. Just as you are." He didn't have to be strong for her, she could be strong for them both.

Tilting her face down, she softly kissed his lips. Magda slowly kissed him, and slowly deepened the kiss a little by little. Her hand moved to his shoulder, and held him there. Slowly, because she wanted to savor the moment as much as she knew he needed to set the pace if he needed something more. Erik had always been passionate in bed, and she hoped this would help them reconnect. Help him remember the good things in his life. Feel close to her once again.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Just the way he was. How she could love him like this, he couldn't understand. But nor did he want to question it. He knew how strong Magda's heart was, and never doubted her love for him. Anyone who carried this burden along with him, and stayed . . . it took someone incredible. It took Magda, for Erik couldn't imagine anyone else being able to endure this. Being able to be this strong. It was not unnoticed by Erik, but he just lacked the ability to express it. Remaining in position, he watched her as she leaned in. His eyes belatedly closed into the light kiss, feeling her building it. Setting the steady, slow pace.

But, this was the first time he felt . . . something. Her kisses always seemed to have that effect on him. Now was no exception. As she slowly deepened it, he parted his lips to allow easier access. His hand went to her cheek, sliding to the back of her head in encouragement. And suddenly, just like that, it was too slow. He wanted the rush of emotions. He didn't want to overthink any of this. He wanted it to consume him: pleasure, desire, love. Everything.

Not even realizing it, his hand on the back of her head was pulling her closer and closer to him, silent encouragement to keep going. His other hand went to her waist, almost hesitantly touching the bottom of her shirt . . . instinct wanting to pull it off of her yet not yet doing so. His frame of mind in these past weeks making him too aware of every little thing. He needed her to make him forget. To make him think of nothing other than her touch, her body, her taste . . . everything about her.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

He began kissing her, and Magda felt her body warm under his touch and kiss. Her breathing quickened slightly as she began to feel aroused by the idea that her and her husband were going to make love again after so long of needing him. Her hands moved down to her shirt, and pulled it over her head to tossed it aside. Standing there in her bra and pants, she lifted her knee to put it on the bed and climbed up so she was seated in his lap.

She kissed him back with the fever that he had started, and her own hands moved to pull his shirt up over his head. The moment it was off, her lips found his once more and she lowered her body to rest on his. Sitting on his lap, her hands wrapped around his neck and she pressed her hips into his. Rubbing their pants covered hips over his, trying to tease and arouse him back.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Erik watched as she removed her shirt, his eyes lingering over the sight of her half unclad body. Her perfect body. One that had always been so irresistible. She moved back towards him, kissing him with the same heat that he had indicated he wanted -- and needed. He felt her hands go to his shirt and moved his arms up so that it could be taken off with ease. He kissed her with fervent desire as she settled on top of him, pressing her hips over his, teasing them both.

Ordinarily, it would not take a great deal to get him worked up; to arouse him. But with the way his mind had been . . . he needed more. Already hating that he did, for performing had never been a challenge Erik had been faced with. And he certainly would not be faced with it now. His hands wrapped around her and flipped them over, his body draped over hers as his lips kissed her with a growing urgency. His hands went to the fastening of her pants, starting to undo them as one hand pressed against the bed to keep himself braced up. He needed to be mindless with pleasure and need. To not think about anything but her and the sensation of being inside of her.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

[q

Clouds will race in, storms will rage on

Erik took control like he always did and Magda loved it! She loved the way he commanded her body as easy as he had done the metal around him. While she wouldn't make the words known, she thought them. He turned them and she was on her back while he worked on her pants. Moving her hands down she helped him push them down over her hips until her legs were free, and then her own hands began working on his pants.

Magda knew sex didn't magikly fix everything, but she also knew it helped them feel close when words were a struggle. Maybe until he could begin voicing what was wrong this could help him remember that she was here to help take on some of the pain so they could share it! He helped her, she helped him--this was a marriage! She wanted to take part of the weight. She wanted to take all of the pain from him.

But you will be safe in my arms

_{Tag: Erik Lehnsherr}

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Tag: Magda Eisenhardt
Note: Better layout coming soon!

Peace

WAS NEVER AN OPTION

Once her pants were off, she worked on his own, his lips still moving against hers as if afraid of what would happen if he stopped kissing her. Afraid of any unaccounted for second that could ruin the mood. Ruin this building moment. Once his pants were open he pulled them down as well, kicking them off when they passed his knee and hurriedly repositioning himself on top of her.

His breathing grew a little more laboured from the intensity of the kiss and their actions, having been deprived of it for so long. Being the one to deprive himself. Or them both. Not anymore. His hands moved over her body, feeling the curves of her sides, the softness of her skin. She still wore her bra and underwear and Erik's hands were already moving lower to remove the latter off so that he could touch her and . . . hoped it would take that desire to manifest itself in a more physical form.