[ He knows this. He knows this and yet- It hadn't stopped his heart from hammering in his chest, from thinking that he might have lost her for good. All because he'd looked at this from a tactical perspective rather than just sticking close to her. ]

I... [ he starts, resigning himself to a sigh instead. Anything he can think to say sounds just as apologetic and it's already clear that isn't what she wants to hear. She's right. It wasn't his choice alone. It wasn't his burden alone to bear. ]

Alright. [ is what he settles for, eventually. ] But I can't take the chance that I might lose you again. I had hoped that this would all be a bit more proper, honestly, but I also know that time isn't on our side. At least not in this realm.

[ What is he even talking about. ]