[ It's the distress she hears in his inhale that causes her to look at him again, and she takes in his expression, his reaction. He's hurt...

And he deserves answers, not that she has good ones to his question. ]

I can't... deny it's a part of it. If I don't-- say what I feel for another [ Obviously, within reason. She's not going to go up to anyone and say "I love you, you're valid" to everyone just randomly. ] ...there won't be another time to do so.

[ She'll fall asleep. She'll return to her world-- that, or be spirited to another. She could forget everyone here. She could lose them before they lose her. And in her world, she doesn't want anyone else to lose others. In this world, she doesn't want to be a risk factor to its demise. ]

Having a present here...[ Which, she's trying. She's trying to hold what she can here, the people she's met, the bonds she's made, him. Her voice wavers, weak, and she bows her head. ] I'm trying, Noct.

I don't want to waste it.