"I'm never letting go again," she breaths, slipping her small, delicate hand into mine. Her skin is cold and her fingers tremble, but her grip is firm and sure. "I thought I lost you," she whispers, her breath warm against my neck.
I duck my head low to capture her lips, kissing her deeply. She did lose me. Only her determination brought me back: brought all of us back. I wrap my arms around her, crushing her small, bare frame to myself, wishing I could tell her it will always be okay. I should have protected her, should have defeated all the evil in the world, should have kept her safe. But I didn't. I couldn't.
I hold her tighter, feeling her heart flutter under my fingertips: so fragile and delicate. Where I failed, this tiny girl had saved the entire universe. And she saved me.