For a moment, she almost felt that his silence was damning. Yet when he spoke, her tired eyes opened wide, trying so hard to read the smallest nuances in his expression. Yet when that failed due to the tears of joy and pain, she nodded.

"If there is anything I can do, my research can probably give more answers." It was the least she could offer, for both the gift and curse she'd given him. Of this, she was certain - hopeful, for the first time in decades. "We will end this cycle," she replied as her right hand found his left cheek, trying to reassure him as best she could. She would not push him away, would not lie nor omit if she could help it. She smiled genuinely, intimately amending herself in a voice not above a whisper. "We will, Vincent."