"I know you're strong. I understand that," Rude presses a kiss to Rufus' jaw and then the side of his face. "But I'm still going to worry about your safety. I can't help that."

Protecting Rufus was so much of his day-to-day now that it was impossible to imagine what life would be like without that. He's glad for Rufus, and so he'll fight as hard as he can to make sure nothing happens to him. Now he has a little bit more incentive to see to it that he's not harmed.

He keeps the blond in his arms, closing his eyes and trying not to think about whether or not this was at all similar to the way Rufus must have held Reno as he died. Did he kiss him as he took his last breath's? Remind him that he was loved? Did he touch his hair and send him off thinking of their best memories. Rude is the one to cry first, again. There are no sobs, no sniffles, and no fuss, just excessive moisture in his tear ducts that fall down the side of his face because of the way he's on his side.

"I don't want to lose anyone else. Even if it's temporary."