Absolution
He will always feel unworthy of her sacrifice. He confesses as much again, early one morning, while they recline by a window, studying the last star fading into a turquoise dawn.
She listens patiently; cuts him off with gentle firmness. "Taran. I'd have given up an eternity without you for just one day with you. Don't imply you'd not have done the same for me."
Before he can answer she stiffens, her clear eyes piercing his soul like crystal shards. "Though come to think of it, you didn't."
Her palm against his mouth blocks his protest. "I know why. And it doesn't sit well with my pride, you know, coming in second to your sense of duty. You could at least allow me the comfort of believing, had all else been equal, that you would have chosen as I did."
He assures her of it by every method he can think of.
"Then don't ever bring it up again," she commands, after a contented sigh. "If you do, I'll remind you that it's All Your Fault to begin with."
"Forgive me?" he murmurs, into her hair, and feels her cheek swell as she smiles.
"I'm speaking to you, aren't I?"
Spin-off inspired by the associated chapters in One More Day. I can't get away from this stuff. It hounds me.