“I love you, Noah,” he whispered. “I love you so much that I would trade places with you right now if I could.” He trailed his fingers cautiously through the thick strands of Noah’s hair. “But I can’t,” his voice shook. “But I’ll fight beside you. I promise,” his voice broke. Noah was long asleep by now, but Joe continued to read, the words soothing him, cuddling his heart, a pleading mantra going on repeat in his head. Just come back to me, Noah. Just come back to me, amor.”
―
A.E. Jensen,
Occasional Fires and Saints