She reached for him, stopping just short of touching. "It's killing me too."
He looked at her hand, then at her face. "I don't know how to fight a man you love," he said. "I don't know how to compete with a ghost that already lives in your heart."
She shook her head desperately. "You're not competing, Azrael. You're…"
"What?" he asked. "Tell me what I am, then."
Her lips parted. No words came. She regretted ever mentioning her feelings.
Azrael let out a slow, broken breath. "I love you," he said simply. "And right now, that feels like the most dangerous thing I've ever done."
She took another step toward him, desperation spilling into her voice. "Azrael, please, just let me explain. I'm trying. I swear I'm trying to make sense of it too."
He lifted a hand sharply, stopping her mid-step.
"No," he snapped.
She froze.
