[His throat tightens at her words. This was a feeling he knows all too well. As far as he knows, this is all he has left. In this life, at least. When he returns home, Charley would have walked out on him a long time ago, and his best friend, who'd helped him find himself again, would be dead.

As far as he knew, when he left this place, there was only war and destruction left for this life. Still, at least he had other lives to come. Rose doesn't have that luxury. What does he say to that?

His fingertips continue to move, caressing her cheek and ghosting along her jawline with the lightest touch.]

Then...then you make the absolute most of it, and hold on to the ones you love, and the ones...the ones who...

The ones who love you.

[He straightens his fingers to cup her cheek, swallowing down that last bit of terror before pressing a kiss to her lips.]