Some apologies are due

The sound of the lock clicking shut behind her ripped Kathryn out of her ongoing stupor, the entire day since she had woken up felt like a whirlwind of madness that had ripped her off her feet and never allowed her to catch her bearings. Of course, the guards locking her and Penelope in the tower, that was surely just for show on Queen Amelia's end? Another one of her tricks? Right?

Kat turned to look at Penny, she was hunched over her alchemy station, her shoulders shaking with what Kathryn realized after an obtuse amount of time were sobbing tears. Kathryn felt her heart breaking at the sight, she had been in such a rush this morning, the shame she had been overwhelmed with when she woke up, the memories of last night, teasing her and taunting her, she hadn't even stopped to think of the effect it had all had on Penelope. Kathryn's body moved instinctively, her arms reaching out to wrap around Penny, comforting the poor crying Princess in the only way she could think of.

Penny turned into the warm embrace, her hands covering her face as she tucked her head into Kathryn's shoulder, allowing her strong arms to hold her tight in a comforting hug. As soon as Kathryn got her arms around her, Penelope collapsed to the ground, Kathryn following her, down on her knees to fully enclose Penelope's slumped form with hers. It took some time for her weeping to die down, her wails of anguish that made Kathryn's stomach twist in dread eventually dying down to bare snivels, the entire time Kathryn tried her best to comfort her, whispering gentle cooing sounds in her ears, unsure exactly what she could do but knowing that she would do anything if it stopped the distress her beloved princess was feeling.

"I'm so sorry, Kat." Penelope choked out, in between sniveling gasps of air. "You must hate me after what I did. After getting you stuck here with me. I just wanted you to know how I felt. I didn't mean to..."

"Penny..." Kat reached out with one hand, moving away the hands guarding her face, revealing her tear-stained visage which shot a bolt of anguish through Kathryn's heart. "I could never hate you."

"Kat-"

Kat reached out with a finger to lay it across Penny's trembling soft lips.

"Penny, I never wanted to hurt you." Kat gushed, her true feelings laid bare in front of the grief of her distressed lover. "What happened this morning, I never intended to-"

"I mean, I never thought..." Kat continued, a stream of consciousness pouring from her mouth. "I never thought that I could be worthy of you. I never even dared imagine in my wildest dreams that we could be together, let alone that you could feel the same way about me. I always thought that any interest I perceived on your part was mere politeness to a woman far below your station."

"Kat..."

"Penny, the only thing that worried me was that somehow what happened between us had hurt you."

"Everything that happened?" Penny said, her voice trembling while she awaited a response. "Everything you said?"

"I meant it all Penny." She said gazing deep into Penny's sparkling grey eyes. "I still mean it."

Penny broke down in tears once more, overcome with emotion, this time however her cries were of pure joy, a heart unburdened by fear. Kathryn couldn't hold back her own tears, leaning down to rest her head next to Penny's as they wept together in happiness. They knelt like this for some time, captured in each other's accepting embrace, happy to finally have their feelings aired for each other to hear, the relief of knowing that their love was shared flowing through them. Finally their tears came to a stop, their cries turning to sniveling breaths and then into shared laughter.

"I guess that means you don't mind being here?" Penny chuckled, unable to stop herself from laughing, she felt so light that she might float away were it not for Kathryn's arms around her.

"There's nowhere that I'd rather be." Kat leaned down to lay a chaste kiss on Penny's lips, before continuing. "I love you Penelope."