Asta gently settled at his good side, wrapping an arm around his waist gently. She looked at Rome with what she tried to make a 'Respectfully go away' message. She wasn't sure how it would get across, but Rome was smart she'd figure it out. Otherwise, she stayed quiet, leaning closer to Ethan to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Rome looked up as she saw Rome touching Ethan, then the look on her face. She nodded and playfully but aggressively shoved Benji. He gave her a "what the fu-" face. Rome made a fake and teasing grossed out face and motioned their way as she stood up. Benji followed her as they walked off. Ethan definitely hadn't been expecting the touch but he couldn't argue that he didn't like it. He leaned slightly so she could reach his cheek. He wrapped his arm around her gently and rubbed her shoulder.

Asta leaned into his arm, closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you. I want you to know that." She murmured softly, cuddling closer to him with a small sigh.

He smiled a little, leaning his head over and putting it on her's. "I know that. You should know I love you too." He shut his eyes, putting his hand down ar her waist, resting on her side. "I'm sorry I scared you back there." He said quietly.

"Its alright. Im sorry you had to go through that. It was all my fault, and now you're bruised and beaten to within inches of your life." Asta sighed, lifting her hand to run it through his hair gently, sweeping it out of his face before she put it back down.

He sighed and shook his head. "You didn't know what he was gonna do." He said in an understanding tone. Tilting his head down to her as she moved his hair out of his face. He smiled slightly. He looked a bit different, pale, it was dark around his eyes. He didn't look well and didn't feel well at all either.

Asta gave a small sigh. "Ethan, what am I gonna do?" She asked softly, hiding her face in his shoulder with a small, frustrated sound. She pulled her head back up and watched him, bringing a hand up to run her thumb across his cheek.

"We can't make you do anything. I'd have done it if I wasn't in quite the predicament." He had his good arm to place on her waist. He seemed like he had no qualms with the fact that he was handicapped now, possibly could be permanent. "You can go, Rome can be here, or Benji." He paused. "Your siblings will need you, please don't let them get hurt, I already feel as though its my fault they've been in there as long as they have." He reached up and put his hand over hers on his face.

Asta swallowed quietly, listening to him speak. "Ethan, I wish I could be as brave as you." She murmured softly, curling closer to him. She didn't say it any sort of demeaning or condescending way- she simply stated it as fact. She looked up in alarm at his last statement. "My love, none of this is remotely your fault. Please sont think that way." She said firmly, laying a light kiss on his cheek and looking at him meekly. "Ethan, I feel so selfish. I don't want to leave you, but that desire could be hurting everything- and I hate it. But I also hate the thought of- of losing you while im gone. I can't- im not strong enough for that." She said softly, tears welling in her eyes.

"I wouldn't call it brave," he held back the fact that he couldn't tell if it was that or that he just didn't have much faith left in anything excelt his friends. Not even in if he might survive. He still was so far from being safe from the grips of anythingg that could hurt him worse. He smiled a little at the kiss, he was slightly ashamed for finding comfort in a kiss while his town was in peril. He sighed. "You won't lose me while you're gone," he grasped her hand. "I promise." He was in no position to make promised but he was making them anyway. "You are strong. My love, your family needs you. I know you love me but you love your family too. They need you more than I do right now."