They talked for a while, once everyone else was gone or asleep. They talked until the fire burned down to coals, and there was nothing left to say. Nothing, indeed, except the confession burning in the back of her throat.

She didn’t want to go. She was afraid of what he might think of her for it, but it was the honest truth.

But he only smiled and ruffled her hair, like he’d done when her world was new. He told her not to worry about it; that he understood.

Then he was gone, again. Gone to be a hero.