With his head bowed, Janius had to think carefully about Kaleeth's question. It seemed like she was having just as much trouble as he was. If it were up to Janius, he would have liked to either stay in the village, or have Kaleeth come with them. Both options were impossible as he well knew. Still, they had at least a couple of days. Would it really be worth staying apart during that time as if nothing was between them? Every second that he thought about how it was impossible only made his heart ache more. Having that ache sustained for so long while Kaleeth was in reach would be torture. It has been torture. She was right, leaving would hurt, but it would hurt either way. For now, though, they could enjoy what time they had.

After taking the time to weigh it up. Janius' head looked up slightly, then turned to Kaleeth sitting next to him. His face was still saddened, but it held some hope. "Do you think, maybe..." his eyes looked across to his arm, "...just for the time we have left, we could..." he paused, then looked at Kaleeth's eyes again "...pretend... that it won't hurt in the end? We could..." he swallowed and moved his arm around to stroke his fingers lightly across the side of her jaw, "...give in, and give it a chance?"

Even though he thought he was going back somewhat on his earlier decision, the rest of the day had been killing him with regret. He had been unfair because he wanted to protect his own feelings, and for what? More pain? When he looked into Kaleeth's eyes he saw reprieve from the sadness, and a chance to just be with her. Throughout the rest of the day, there was nothing else he wanted more. Even if they could just sit talking by the river until the sun came up, he would feel better.