His didn’t interpret her meaning right, he didn’t get what she was referring to, and for now maybe that was okay.  There would be chance to clarify later once she’d calmed down and gotten herself under control again.

When he made her look at him she could see nothing but truth in his eyes.  He was as lost as she was, and just as emotional.  Whatever they decided would be hard on both of them, and she appreciated that he let her in like this instead of just trying to be strong for her.  There was a time and place for that, but now honesty was more important.

His words made her heart positively swell with love and appreciation and guilt that she was putting him through this.  She would never want to do it without him, though.  She could, and maybe in ways it would be easier, but she didn’t want to, not for a moment.

“I love you too,” she replied, her voice still choked and hoarse.  “More than anything.”

Taking a shuddering breath she forced her eyes open again, cupping his cheeks and using her thumbs to brush away his tears.  She kissed him briefly, just pressing her lips to his once, twice, a third time.  His lips tasted of salt, or maybe it was her own.  It didn’t matter.