[ He gives her a small smile, because he knows arguing with her here and now is pointless. There’s too much she doesn’t know - will never know, if he had any say in the matter. He has far too many skeletons shoved deep in his closets to ever be comfortable shining a light in. But there’s likely something in his expression that hints that he doesn’t quite believe her.

He believes she believes it? That’s gotta count for something, right? ]

I don’t intend to rush you, sweet. I know you’re worried about what will happen if things get more complicated. Frankly, I am a little, too. But don’t you worry about how much you can give me, if anything at all. This… has already been more than I ever anticipated, whatever comes next.

[ The only words in that whole thing that hold the deepest conviction, because it’s true. He’d known he was on borrowed time with both of them from the very start.

His fingers brush against her cheek again before he leans in to press a kiss to her forehead. ]

Take your time in figuring out what you want. What you feel. Like I said, I’m not going anywhere. I just wanted you to know… I guess that I’m okay with however far you want to take this. Or not at all, if that ends up being your decision. I’ll respect it.