Goddess, but it hurt so much more to hear aloud in Lily's broken voice. So final. Eleven squeezed his eyes closed and felt something in his chest contract to the point of pain. After everything they'd shared- never seeing each other again... He inhaled a sharp breath, feeling his throat close up, thick with emotion. He held her close and pressed a trembling kiss to her forehead as his eyes welled with fresh tears.

For a few moments, he silently loathed his title and all the pain it had ever brought him.

He exhale, breaths hitching wetly. He wanted to say he loved her, but knew it would break him- possibly both of them- if he did. Instead he held her tight, rocking them, and worked to dredge up the resolve to let her go.