Stavanger Bay Wilted

"you need to think about it, because it's what you said," lestan said quietly, glancing at her. reverie's pain hurt him, and for that reason he wanted to embrace her, speak no more of this.
but this theme of their strain was constant. if he was not with her all of the time, he dreaded finding her bled to death, and now, and now!
"what if something had happened to me, out there? are you saying you would —"
his jaw tensed but it did not hold off the tears welling in his eyes. "i don't want to be the reason you live or die, rev." it was too much, too great a struggle, too delicate a weight. "we have a child. you need to l-live for her. for blossom. not me."