Their noses touched, and Mai could feel the tears stinging her eyes, begging to be released. But she forced them away. No, Mai. Naru hated weakness, and she couldn't show him hers.
He breathed out, his warm breath fanned her cheek delicately. Her hands were trembling and she wanted so badly to wrap her arms around him. His hands touched her neck and her face and her hair, so softly Mai bit her tongue from begging for more.
"I know you love him," His voice was nothing but a whisper in the air, but Mai's heart still clenched at the agony it held "but please..." It clenched so painfully she felt as if she couldn't breathe. Her chest was tight and all she could do was force herself not to cry.
"Please," His voice disappeared in the air, but it rung in her ears. Her eyes remained closed, and in some way she knew his were too. As if they were connected."let me be the one" He was pleading. Mai bit in a cry. "You can love me, Mai. I know you can"
"I love you, Mai" Her heart stopped, and she wanted to cry out in joy. But she didn't. She couldn't. "I can take away all your pain. I can make you happy. Please, just" He paused and Mai felt like she was exploding
"Let me love you"
Mai did not pull away from the lips that descended on hers. She did the opposite, really. She welcomed them, allowing them to consume her. She felt joy erupt inside her and Naru's hands touched her neck and her cheeks and her arms.
His breath was ragged. Or maybe it was hers. She couldn't tell. They were so close.
"I love you," He never stopped whispering "I love you"
I love you too