Break Me: An angsty fic

"I have cancer." She says it so quietly, he wonders if he's heard her correctly. When he sees her shoulder's slump, he knows he has.

"Cancer?" he repeats, almost unable to speak the words.

"I found a lump a few weeks ago," she explains. "I've been having tests."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you."

"What has the doctor said? Has he given any prognosis?"

"They think they've caught it early but there's no guarantees. They want me to start treatment immediately."

He sees the fear and uncertainty in her eyes. He opens his arms to her and she falls into his embrace. Heavy sobs course through her body and his heart breaks to see her in such distress. He wants to cry with her, but he knows she needs him to be strong for her, so he steels himself against his own feelings. Not knowing what else to do, he manoeuvres them to the sofa and pulls her down with him so sit on his lap, holding her tightly and letting her cry. She clings to him; he is her rock and lifeline.

When she stops crying, he dries her eyes but doesn't let her go. "You know I'm here for you, for whatever you need," he tells her. "You won't be alone for a minute; not if you don't want to be."

"Thank you," she sniffs.

"I love you Ruth."

He's never told her before, but she's known. She knew it when he asked her to dinner, however much she denied it at the time. He had tried to tell her on that dockside before she left but she didn't let him; knowing it would have made parting so much harder if she heard the words. She's seen it in his eyes when they were reunited at Mani's behest, when she lost George and then Nico. She's been unable to return his love after that, she'd felt so guilty but his love for her hadn't wavered.

Now, faced with her own possible mortality all she feels is regret; for all the time that has been lost.

"I love you too," she admits, breaking down again. "I'm sorry! We've wasted so much time Harry. I've wasted so much time!"

He rubs comforting circles on her back in an effort to calm her. "Sshh. It's okay Ruth. We'll fight this. Together."

Within the darkness that has been threatening to engulf her, there is a flicker of light at Harry's words. And as his lips touch hers, it begins to burn brighter.