"I know you aren't," Gai says, trying to banter back. "I wouldn't have fallen for you if you were the sort of person to just sit back and let me protect you without any protest."

His eyes soften when she reaches up to touch his face, and with that simple change of expression, he looks more like the Gai she's used to seeing. It's true, he lives at one intensity, and that's full-throttle. Such is the result of living with the knowledge that one's days are numbered. Gai gives his all in everything he does, be it fighting or loving someone. He doesn't know how to do anything less... something that can be both a blessing and a curse.

"But I can promise that much. Neither one of us needs to be alone, not anymore."

He just wishes she didn't have to be involved in this at all.