[Her touch is an anchor. It's keeping him here, considering. He wants to keep her from sadness so badly. But he's already failed at doing that. And this...he needs her to know this. Needs her to know his pain, everything he's so sorry for and wishes he could fix but just can't.
Because that's how he'll get through it. He knows this. That's how they'll get through it.
Together.]
--I'm--[The words catch in his throat as he pulls her hand against his lips and squeezes his eyes shut. He wishes he hadn't caved first. But the raw ache is there and open and there is no going back.
When he speaks, he speaks against her fingertips and needle prick tears swell in his voice.] I'm sorry, I'm so--so sorry--
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Because that's how he'll get through it. He knows this. That's how they'll get through it.
Together.]
--I'm--[The words catch in his throat as he pulls her hand against his lips and squeezes his eyes shut. He wishes he hadn't caved first. But the raw ache is there and open and there is no going back.
When he speaks, he speaks against her fingertips and needle prick tears swell in his voice.] I'm sorry, I'm so--so sorry--