His expression softens then, a pang of guilt tightening in his chest. He reaches up to gently cradle her head between his hands, his fingers threading through her hair as he draws her lips against his in a slow yet desperate kiss as if it could somehow convince her of the honesty of his regret where the correct words have failed him. As if he could pour all the words and emotions and promises he has yet to convey into her very soul so that she might believe him when he tells her that he has no intention of ever leaving her side again, so long as she will have him.