"I would probably do the same thing," she adds, another sloppy sort of laugh making its way past her lips.

"Hell, I would probably lie to keep you safe, but in the end I would lose."

She presses a hand to her forehead, shaking her head almost incredulously.

"I do not know how to deny you, as - as utterly revolting as that is. I -" her arm hooks over her shoulder. "I waited much too long for you to let go of you."