She goes still all at once, makes a sound as sad as Jason feels, and he can't help himself, he promised not to touch but he has to. "I will," he says, and it's not because of the boy he used to be, the little bird winging color into the darkest corners of the night. He doesn't want to help her out of duty, or even simple fucking kindness. He wants to help her because he loves her, and she doesn't deserve to hurt.

"I'm sorry," he says, his arms around her and drawing her in, tucking her head beneath his chin where she can hide. "I'm sorry, I love you, I'm so sorry."