"What are you so afraid of?" Her eyes were penetratingly fierce. Her fingers clenched the sides of Ryou's shoulders. Ryou wanted nothing more than to slither once more out of her arms. To retreat as he always had; but he didn't. "I see it in your eyes Ryou. You can't deny it. You can't hide what is written all over your face."
He sighed and she loosened her tight grip. Ryou's soft hand trailed down to her index finger in a light grasp.
"I'm afraid of being alone. I'm afraid that the second I let myself trust you, you'll leave. Just like all the women I have cared about most. I'm afraid of what might happen if I'm with you." He paused trying to take back some of the tears in his eyes. He whispered to where Miho had to strain her ears to hear him. "What is worse is what would happen if I'm not."
"I'm not going anywhere!" Miho shouted. She shook her head, tears coming forth to her eyes as well. "And I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you!" She threw her arms tightly around Ryou's frail frame. Despite his small figure, she felt so safe when he was near. "I will be right her protecting you every day for as long as you will let me! You just have to trust me." Miho barely managed to choke those last words out and repeated, "You... just have to trust me."
Ryou freed his arms from under Miho's tight grip and hugged her back. He slowly pet her hair. He knew she couldn't protect him from the types of dangers he faced, he just didn't want to break her heart.