Lovingly, not yours.

She whispered as she tried to reach out for her salvation, "Please, take me away with you. I will be fine with-"

Her voice faltered, as her teary green eyes took in his pained expression. She wished upon every holy entity to ease the hurt off her beloved. But the next words he spoke, she was sure that she had to let go before he'd hurt himself more.

"Don't you understand?" he gritted through his teeth, as though trying not to hurt her by his trembling voice, "I have to do this"

Tears of them both, flowed across the faces that each held dear. Unable to hold back her agony as she took in his forced state, she mumbled. A tiny phrase, one he'd often use to stop her from crying.

"I will be here, I will be here. I promise, I am here."

Lovingly, not yours.
Not his, neither hers.

started - 21.03.24
original - 14.02.24