He was mumbling words, over and over again, and he wasn't entirely certain what they were because he was too busy trying not to break down entirely and he was failing. So he just gave in, and he cried, and while he was crying he could listen to himself, muttering again, "I'm sorry," and "I love you," and "so tired," and "Not goin' back, can't go back, I'm sorry."

He wasn't going to let go. Couldn't.