xxxiv

“ i will protect you. ”

of course, you will, love. what makes you doubt that?

he cupped my cheeks and ran his thumb gently over my eyelid asking me to open my eyes without saying. our eyes met and i saw the hints of sincerity and promises in them. but mostly, i saw hollowness. the void that was swallowing him from within.

stay. don't let your emptiness wipe you away already. stay. for a moment longer, please.

“ trust me. please. i will try to be a better man.one that you deserve to be with. ”

you were always that man. what happened to you, love?

his voice was shaking. broken. i could hear the apology in his voice. but the emptiness in his words overshadowed it.

“ if you are by my side, i promise that i will make it. i will do whatever it takes to save you from the world. ”

it broke. his voice. and my heart with it.

oh, love. don't you know? the only person I need saving from is you.

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