[She holds as tightly to his shoulder as he'll allow, for her sake as much as his. She pulls out a bunched cloth and presses it to his neck despite his words -- she keeps it in reserve in case anyone needs a bandage but she never thought --]
[The hand on his shoulder squeezes as she hangs her head, don't cry don't cry don't cry, and she doesn't but a low, wounded sound slips out between gritted teeth. Why does she have to be like this, why?]