he smiled, reassuring.

we're gonna be okay.

he took a step closer to her, and she felt better despite the situation.
he had sworn to protect her.

and all of a sudden, she understood what he was about to do, and she realised that she could not - would not - let him give it all up.

not for her.
she wasn't worth it.

no.

but he stepped in front of her just as the gunman pulled the trigger, and she watched him crumple as if in slow motion.

it's just like the movies. it can't be real.

she sank to her knees by his side, her mind running through the million and one things she wanted to say to him but did not know how.

you idiot.

he managed to smile up at her, and she wished he wouldn't.
it hurt more than if he had simply cried out.

then he mumbled something - shaped his mouth around three syllables he could barely breathe - and the entirety of what was happening hit her so hard she could no longer swallow her tears.

he was gone before she even gave her reply.

i love you too.