A/N: I know it's been a long hiatus. Lots of things have intruded on my writing life. However, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, so I'm starting small ...with a kiss. Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: Supernatural is just a toy I play with from time to time.
Jo
He stares at her for a moment. He doesn't bother to try to hide the pain or the grief. The guilt. There's no point. She knows.
There isn't anything to say. Not really. Words can't even begin to cover it. Instead, he wraps his hand around her neck, pulling her close, pressing his lips to her forehead. Tears threaten, but he swallows them down and leans back. He can feel her tension. Knows she's trying to hold back the tears too. To be brave. To sell this as the only solution. As if that will somehow let him off the hook.
He remembers what she'd said the night before when he'd tried to hit on her. That if this was their last night on earth, she wanted to leave it with a little thing she called self-respect. Looking at her now, still hanging on despite the horrifying rip in her belly. Still holding all the dignity and self-assurance she's always had. His heart constricts, sucking his breath away.
It's enough to make him lean in again, this time tilting her face to his. Their lips meet, just for a moment. For him, it's an apology. A plea for forgiveness. A bittersweet reminder of all the things that would now never be.
She's too weak to offer any absolution. Too weak to do much more than return the kiss with a gentleness he didn't expect. Doesn't really think he deserves.
Breaking the kiss, he drops his forehead to hers, unwilling to let go. Because letting go means walking away. And walking away means watching her die. Watching her die and knowing it's his fault. Knowing it should be him sitting there, gutted by the hellhound. Knowing he's the reason she's here.
Tightening his jaw, he pulls away abruptly. He's not going to be able to keep it together if he doesn't.
He walks away without looking back.
Next up: Sophia. Our last kiss, folks! :) And remember, reviews are love! Please click that lovely little review button and let me know what you thought!