Mercy

He has laid down his sword, but not all of his armor. She lets him rest against her, while a dagger remains in her hand. Her veil falls around them like a shelter, softening the space between two bodies that have not entirely let their guard down.

Mercy exists somewhere within this contradiction. In the choice to remain soft while still afraid; to allow another person close without knowing completely what they might do with that trust. Neither figure is entirely defenseless, and neither is entirely strong. For a moment, they simply offer one another a place where the weapons do not need to be used.