[Just because she doesn't want him to lose sight of what's important to give her forever doesn't mean Mio doesn't understand. It doesn't mean that she doesn't want more time. What if they could live as long as Guernica Vandham had lived?

I love you. She's been so afraid of those words even before she fully knew what they meant. When the feelings she'd had no name for started to blossom and grow within her, she'd been hesitant to acknowledge them. Even despite encouragement, she'd wondered if it was best to keep this secret to herself forever. To not hurt him. To set him free.

As she feels the ghost of his tears rain down on her, she lifts her head from his chest to look at him. His shirt is damp where she leaves it.]

I love you too, Noah. And... I know. I know you'll keep me with you. I can't promise not to go away, but... what we've shared, that part of me never will.

[Mio leans up and kisses him, tender despite how raw and forceful it is.]