“I’m here,” she whispered again, this time without tremor, just truth.

And she saw all the places in him that had been stitched shut too tightly, all the fear that had been masquerading as strength. She let a single tear fall, not for weakness, but for the weight he’d carried alone for so long. “I’m here,” she whispered again, this time without tremor, just truth. You’re not alone anymore.” His breath hitched at the sound of it, not from fear but from recognition—that maybe the world hadn’t ground him down by itself. Maybe someone could stand beside, holding his hand while it did.