I listened attentively to Shay's choked response, her voice hoarse. I knew she was the one who screamed but the way she sounded solidified it. Her scream is what made me sprint up the fire escape, my heart felt heavy with her pain.

As tears streamed down her face, all I could do was remain there by her side praying that I could inch close enough to yank her back if she got froggy and do my ultimate best to cox her off the edge in the meantime. I fought the urge to cry as I stood frozen in place and rethinking my actions as they have now thrown things into pure chaos. I tried to give her the space to release the overwhelming emotions that had taken hold of her while also acting as an anchor attempting to ground her chaotic mind in reality.

She is hallucinating, or at least she thinks she is... Which made my job infinitely harder.

This predicament was tense and scary. But I wasn't about to let her leave me… not now, not yet… confusion loomed in the air like a sickening fog of uncertainty and raw emotion. I scraped my brain for solutions, wracking it for a positive conclusion.

What the fuck am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to help her? I need her to talk. I need to know what got her here. I need to talk her down.

"Are... Are you serious? Then where were you!? huh!? I told you how I felt! I told you more about myself than anyone in my life has gotten to know! you walked out on me! now suddenly your back!? what? having second thoughts about your decision? What a bunch of bullshit! I was stupid for trusting you!! I knew someone would end up hurt I just didn't think it was gonna be me, and so fucking soon! I'm so sick of this shit! I'm so sick of trying and hoping for someone to care enough to stay! Why do I get told to live only to be left utterly alone? you ditched me the same day you got me to trust you. I can't believe I fell for it, for you. You made me happy... Jokes on me.” Her words came from a place of hurt, a wounded heart calloused over.

I never meant to cause any harm. Was just…

"I just want someone to love me like you said... nothing crazy. I just wanted you to care enough to stay without pity… without having to be persuaded or begged. Someone who won't take with force, or abandon me when things get 'too difficult'. But that must be too much to ask for. So I'm done asking… I'm tired of begging." I froze in my tracks, my inching towards her stalled, as Shay's words lashed out at me, the raw hurt evident in her weak and failing voice.

Her anger and frustration were justified. I knew that, and I felt remorse for this misunderstanding. I listened to her painful words no matter how badly they stung, aware that my actions had caused her to doubt my sincerity, I felt frantic. I knew I could do that, I knew I could fill that role for her but she'd need to trust me. I attempted to talk her down off the edge, but it was no easy task I promise.

My heart was pounding in my ears, desperate to reach out to her, to salvage what little I could at this point. Breathless, I approached the ledge where Shay stood as she grappled with the dangerous idea that plagued her thoughts. I recognized the depth of her sorrow, her desire for genuine, unconditional love.

"Shay, please, please. " I urged, my voice fraught with concern as I reached out a trembling hand toward her.

"I'm sorry, really. I... I didn't realize the extent of the hurt it would cause you but this is a misunderstanding. I walked out to get something I wasn't trying to leave. I wasn't trying to run. You have to believe me." I took a tentative step closer, making sure to leave enough space for her own agency. The last thing I wanted was for her to get squirrely and choose to take a dive over talking it out further.

"But I was wrong, I should've thought of how it would make you feel to wake up alone, especially after opening up about how much being alone hurt you. I scared you, it was unintentional but it still must have been jarring. I care about you, Shay. I don't want you to feel like you have to beg or persuade anyone to stay." my voice grew softer, knitted with genuine remorse.

"I want to be here for you, to see you through the challenges we may come to face together. I'm staying, not out of pity, but because I value the remarkable and trusting person you are, you trusted me from the very first second and showed me kindness no normal survivor nowadays would show a stranger. Please, let me show you that you are worth every ounce of love and patience you desire."

“I’m not worth the trouble. You're better off living alone, so trust me I don't need you to lie to me or make me ‘feel better’ I don't deserve to have anything, this word made that very clear." I understood her fear. I've been there myself a few more times than I'd like but her reluctance to believe my words gave turbulence to the recovery of what had unraveled between us. Yet, I couldn't handle the thought of losing her, I couldn't stand by and watch her give in to despair.

Driven by a sheer desire to convey the depth of my conviction, I reached out, gently stepping up on the ledge with her being careful not to nudge her accidentally. In an impulsive act, I kissed her with a passion borne out of genuine feelings and unspoken emotions. My hands cradled the back of her head, my lips fervently pressing against hers. I held the kiss until I felt her body relax… I needed her to know I meant every word I said to her, that somehow upon the first meeting, I knew I would desire nothing more than to stand at her side.

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The kiss was a fervent declaration, a desperate attempt to break through the walls that stood in the way of our understanding. I immersed myself in the moment, pouring into it the passion and sincerity that peppered my every action. My kiss revealed the raw truth I had tried to hide within himself, the desire to reciprocate the love I had rarely allowed myself to receive.

When we finally pulled apart, my breath ragged, I searched Shay's eyes, baring my soul in that vulnerable exchange.

"I'm not lying to you, Shay," he whispered, his voice laced with emotional turmoil.

"Please believe me. I want you by my side in this broken world unconditionally, we can navigate this chaos together." my heart was beating out of my chest as my gray eyes scanned her for even the slightest change. But I knew deep down that I couldn't force someone into living only to convince them otherwise.

I started to gently step away from the edge, holding out my hand and getting to one knee in an attempt to give her a choice… to jump or to join me… a chill ran through me as I remembered the kiss from seconds prior… a bold move I can't say I would replicate with another stranger.

my heart leaped with an unintelligible amount of anticipation and relief that was mixed within my very being as I witnessed Shay's decision, watching her close the physical distance between us. I eagerly sprung to my feet and pulled her into my embrace, holding her tightly against my chest, intertwining our bodies in a shared moment of vulnerability and trust.

As our bodies pressed together, I felt the depth of Shay's grip, her arms wrapped securely around me tightening around me just slightly, the action in a way warming my heart.

She chose me. She chose me!

The warmth that radiated from our connection ignited a flicker of hope within my soul. Love hid in the tenderness of the embrace, a silent testament to the unspoken promises of togetherness that unfolded between us.

The tenderness between us continued as I Gently, pressed my lips against her forehead, a gesture overflowing with reassurance and gratitude. The kiss once again spoke volumes, a whispered declaration of my commitment to her, a testament to my desire to prove my devotion.

"Thank you," I whispered, each word imbued with sincerity.

"I won't let you down, valkyrie. We'll face the trials of this world together, supporting each other every step of the way. I promise."

Our bond now slightly more solidified amidst the crumbling ruins and lingering danger that surrounded us brought me unimaginable solace. I had chosen a path coursed with obstacles that I have never anticipated, but I resolved to navigate them alongside the one whose warmth had thawed my lonely frozen-over heart. Together, we braced ourselves for the tumultuous future, embracing the power of unity in the face of hopelessness.

I then released her from my gentle hold scrounging through my pockets until I felt it. Grabbing her left hand I knelt down once more and presented a ring that would be more suited to fit her finger… a simple band but a band of the most robust metal known to man. A metal to share the bond we now would share. Tungsten.

“This is why you woke up alone… truthfully I thought I would have been back before you woke up but… I was taking extra care to return in one piece. In my wandering I found a jewelry shop so… that's the one I ran to get this from…” Shay’s eyes softened with appreciation as a kind smile slowly grew to accompany them.

“I appreciate your hard work, I do. But you are reckless.” I chuckled and vibrated my chest as she allowed me to slide on the perfectly sized ring.

“It has been quite a hectic start but… I can honestly say it was worth it. My wife deserves a ring that echoes her soul. She deserves to be loved, protected and cherished. I know that normally you get to know your loved one before you get married…” I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.

“But this moment can mark our journey to learn more about each other… from here on out we’re not alone anymore, and I intend to learn enough about you that my head starts to spin.”

“Well get ready. Cause we have a busy day ahead of us.”

“Oh yeah? What’s on the survivor itinerary for today?”

“It’s a scavenging day. To keep up with food, ammo, and other essentials. Nothing hectic but now that I have you… it would be faster and easier… instead of two trips it can easily be one.”

“You make two trips by yourself? Every day?”

“No! No. It’s every other day and I don't pick anything clean just enough to restock what I eat and use, Or replace what’s gone bad but I’m normally on top of that honestly so if I ever am just not well enough to scavenge or get injured I can just make it on my supplies.”

“I see. That’s good you have fail-safes… you're thorough… you really were built to survive.” I nodded in impressed admiration.

“Thanks.” she blushed hard while adjusting her long ponytail.

“Of course… Can I take a nap before we head out?”

“Of course. Go get some sleep, we'll head out in the morning.”

“Will you be joining me?” Shay looked to turn a rosy pink clearly flustered by my inquiry.

“How do you mean?” I chuckled at her frantic and flustered demeanor as she shifted from foot to foot. How could I not tease her? It would be a crime.

“Well, you in your bed and me in mine. How did you expect us to sleep? In the same bed? Let me guess you want to cuddle? Are you that comfortable with me? So soon? I mean shit I won't even argue I accept your offer even.”

“No! I… we… ugh just go sleep in your bed.”

“Aww, you won’t join me?”

“I'll be resting in my own bed, just go nap.”

“Fiiiine, you're too cruel getting my hopes up like this.”

“Oh hush go sleep.”

I laughed heartily as she rushed behind me, she planted both hands on my mid back and just pushed me towards the stairs where we could head to what we used as our sleeping quarters.

Once there I teased her once again letting her clamber onto her bed before I walked up beside it making sure to go slow enough to be noticed and she squealed and pushed me away. I let out a genuine laugh while she lectured me with tomato-red cheeks. I climbed onto my bed and melted into sleep faster than I thought humanly possible. But when I woke I was being poked in my cheek. I'm not going to lie. I jumped at Shay’s close proximity and pulled on my mask to hide the embarrassment that dusted my cheeks, much to her protest.

I struggled to hide my smile as I grabbed her hand and held it against my chest. I attempted to create a modest amount of intimacy which seemed to work seeing how she smiled and beckoned for me to follow suit.

We made our way into a room not mentioned in her… well her suicide note. This is how I know how to get to and from basic areas… but out of respect for Shay I never entered any of the mentioned rooms and only took note of their locations. Inside the new room, she pulled two scavenging bags out of the pile and checked the contents for both. Ensuring both had flashlights, ropes, raincoats, and blankets. The idea was to pack light head to the planned scavenge site and then return, a course of events that was always harder than planned.