[ His emotions are perilously close to breaking through his fragile shields, shields that are barely functioning after having been repeatedly battered until they crack. But her touch always gives him comfort and soothes his hurt, and that is no different this time. It does, however, undo the little control he has managed to regain, and as her fingers brush against the thin strands of hair by his ears and then move to massage the lines of tension in his neck, his eyes slide closed and his head lowers a few notches.

When next he speaks, his voice is lower and all but choked with emotion. ]

You have always called me your love, or your knight... [ He has never commented on her use of names for him, but these observations slip out unexpectedly. ] How can you... [ He pauses here, searching for the right words to complete his question, but before he can, she completes it for him in no uncertain terms.

The shaking in his hands travels to his whole body as the realization of how deeply she loves him washes over him.

Although he does not comment upon each word that she has said, when his eyes open once more and lock upon hers as well, there is a look of understanding but also wonder that she could love him as much as she does.

And then she goes on to say that she will not be leaving him, and at those words, tears form in his eyes unbidden and spill down his cheeks before he can even think about trying to hold them back. ]

What have I done to deserve you and your love? [ He speaks through his tears and then forces himself to push past his exhaustion so that he can lean up to brush a kiss, the most he can manage, against her mouth. ]