[It's perhaps for the best that she doesn't, for it would only wrench that dagger of guilt even deeper. That guilt of not telling her his own fate. And perhaps in some twisted way, it's better she did die first. Then she wouldn't have had to go through what he did in watching him die. Because if she did...

But that's a thought for another time, another place. Instead he just brings up her face so he can press his lips against her tears, his own breath trembling as he feels on the verge of shedding his own.]

It's not just you.

[His palm press tighter against her as he holds her gaze, both of them mirroring all those emotions they've both held down now spilling over at last.]

You wondered if what happened was your penance for not listening to me... If that's true, then it's also mine for not doing more to take you with me and not trusting you. For my own cowardice and inability to protect you—for letting you go.

[His voice quivers, pleading and desperate.]

Benna, please... Don't hold this in anymore... Let me share those burdens with you.