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"And you want ," she said dully

"I need it "

"Youll go noact?"

He came up on his knees, took her face in his hands, and held her steady She tried to pull away, but he wouldnt let her "They need ot experience "

"I need you Marah needs you, but that doesnt matter, does it?"

"It matters "

She felt the heat of tears flood her eyes; they blurred her vision

"If you say no, I wont go "

"Okay, no You cant go I wont let you I love you, Johnny You could die over there "

He let go of her, sat back on his heels, and stared at her "Is that your answer?"

The tears fell, streaked down her cheeks Angrily, she wiped them away She wanted to say, Yes Fuck, yes Thats my answer

But how could she deny him this? Not only was it what he wanted, but down even deeper, there was soly remnant of fear that floated to the surface sometimes, reminded her that hed loved Tully first It ain "Promise me you wont die, Johnny "

He climbed into bed and took her in his arhtly as she could, already it didnt feel safe It felt as if he were dissolving in her e bit by bit "I promise I wont die "

They were empty words, made worse by the fervor hich he spoke

She couldnt help thinking of thiswould go wrong today "I mean it, Johnny If you die over there Ill hate you forever I swear to God I will "