He can't tell her why. Because she can never know that he was the one responsible for her reaping.

"Are you afraid?" he asks.

"I'm empty... And yes I do fear, but not for myself. For my mother. Fuck, if I die, so will she..."

Silent tears on her face. Like diamonds.

And he can't stop himself from brushing against her chin, tilting her face toward his. And he moves slowly, to give himself time to change his mind.

But hell, he wants this, needs this. He's pretty sure it's the only thing that can heal him.

He kisses her.