She looked down when he looked at her, almost embarrassed to ask. "Well, what happened, is what I mean.."
He was quiet for a moment, petting the bird. "I wouldn't have run into the fire if my plans weren't all I had to live for."
"Nothing," he said blankly. "There was nothing, Aspen. I had nothing. You were gone. Eli had moved on."
She observed him quietly before scooting up, her hand on his jaw as she kissed his temple. The gesture felt both soothing and a bit protective.