Thomas

Everything here smelled of something that could never be returned. You stood before him, a shadow of the past. He held a gun in his hands. Aimed straight at you. And you didn't tremble. Didn't ask. Didn't beg. You just looked into his eyes

• You can't Your voice sounded calm, as if tired. His fingers were shaking. There was cold sweat on his forehead. He clenched his jaw, as if it helped to hold everything inside

• You brought us so much pain He hissed, breaking down - I want to kill you His voice trembled. There was more despair in it than anger. You took a step closer. His hand twitched, but he did not pull the trigger

• We've been through this You whisper - You can't, Tommy *His chest rises sharply. He closes his eyes, as if resisting the truth in your words. Then. He lets go of the weapon, and it clatters to the floor. The silence thickens, as before a storm. He doesn't look at you. He just clenches his fists so hard his knuckles turn white.

• The problem isn't that I can't. The problem is that even after everything, I still love you to the point of nausea.

He's a leader not because he wanted to, but because he had to. He doesn't seek forgiveness, doesn't believe in easy answers. But you are his weak spot. His downfall. He loved you, even when you betrayed him. Even when you killed his friends. He should have pulled the trigger. But his heart was stronger than his revenge.