She looked so perfect.

After holding her on the back steps behind the Subway for about an hour, she had fallen asleep, leaned over in his lap where she was curled up slightly against his chest where he held her. He'd realized that she was going to sleep when her sobs started to quiet and her sniffs started to lessen. Soon, she had become completely still aside from her peaceful breathing.

He knew they couldn't just stay there. The night was soon to embrace the shadows and it would soon be too cold to remain where they were.

So he gathered her into his arms slowly and gently, doing his best not to rouse her; she needed her rest.

She didn't weigh much, not compared to his strength. As he walked back around the building, he looked down at her still, sleeping form; he could still watch where he was walking through his peripheral vision.

Her hair was a mess, all tangled and wild. Her cheeks were slowly paling, returning to their original creme color. Her eyes were still swollen from crying, a sight and pain he wished so dearly to steal away from her. Even like this, she looked absolutely beautiful. If only she could see how much he really cared. How much he'd come to love her...

He looked up sharply, having come to the parking lot. He could take them into the hospital again, but those chairs looked mighty uncomfortable and he doubted that they would let him keep her in his arms. His car, however, would have ample room, a heater, and he could hold her close and safe all night.

Thankfully he'd left the doors open and so was able to slide her into the passenger seat before slipping into the driver's side himself. Turning the key halfway, he turned on the electric system which included the special heater he'd had installed, which could run all night and not completely waste the battery. With this being switched on, he turned the car back off.

Sadly, he had no blankets, for if he did, surely he would have draped one over her. But he didn't, and so he gently pulled her body over to his, holding her where her head was on his chest and her back against his skin and clothes while he was leaned against the driver's side door for support. He locked that door for safety reasons.

He looked over at the hospital, into the hallways through the windows. Thoughts of him trickled back through the crevasses in his mind despite his best efforts. All he could think about was the gun, the blood, and the gaping hole in his head. Irreparable brain damage, the doctors had said. Only life support had kept him alive, kept him with them... so they'd consented. He didn't want to, but he agreed. A nonexistent life is not worth living so they gave the okay. They allowed him to be killed, to be taken off life support.

"Daniel," he whispered for the first time in years, "I'm sorry. I wish I'd known what you were going through... It was so selfish of me. I will not let that happen again." He looked down at her, her eyes now back to their normal look, though closed. To be honest, he didn't care what she looked like. She was beautiful either way- no- gorgeous. Not even that- breathtaking. "I will keep you safe," he said softly before looking up once more. "Help me, Daniel. Help me know what to do. I'm lost."

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A/N
A late RIP to Daniel Kyre of Cyndago.