"I'm here, you can see that, right?" he said, accentuating his tender, impassive smile.
"I know. But I'm scared."
"Really?" joked his friend. "While I'm here?"
They laughed together.
"I'm in so much pain."
"I can tell. But don't worry, you're in good hands."
And as he said this, the young mage took a quick glance at the kaidius, whose anise-green hair fluttered in a strong, foul-smelling wind, and returned the look. The kaidius read with dread the atrocity contained therein.
"I'm so scared. " Kei repeated while tightening his embrace.
"Why? You're going to live."
"I know."
"So what?"
"I will live knowing that you will now hate me because of my weaknesses."
"You saved my life.
"We both know that's not true. That it will never be true."
Miron didn't need to answer, to insist. Why should he still do so when Kei had already accepted the reality.
"It's nothing. It will not change my affection in any way."