Avon rested his forehead against hers, his hand cupping her cheek as he gazed into her eyes, which were shimmering with unshed tears.
"You don't get to do that," he said, his voice hoarse but firm. "You don't get to just kiss me, say you love me, and run off to die. Do you hear me, Astrid? You don't get to leave me."
Her lips parted, but no words came out, and for once, she looked utterly speechless.
"I didn't see it before," he continued, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I didn't realize what you meant to me. But when you ran toward that thing when I thought you might not make it back…" His voice cracked, and he swallowed hard, his grip tightening around her.
"You're not just my best friend. You're everything, Astrid. You're my everything.''
