Three surgeries later, what the bacta tanks couldn't heal were fused together with durasteel pins and plates. He'd never be without pain, but he could almost do everything he'd been able to before. It had taken a lot of intense physical therapy, a lot of tough days and doubt, but this was far better than the alternative.

Every step had been torture as he climbed his way out of Hell to Jyn. But he knew that he'd do it all over again if she were ever in danger. He'd do it all a thousand times over if she needed him to.

Maybe he hadn't shown it, but he felt it - from their first meeting, he'd known that they'd be inextricably linked for as long as they lived. And they'd been given more time, which is all he'd wanted when they were holding each other tight, waiting for the blast from the Death Star to reach them, and he'd ... squandered it.

He didn't want to squander it anymore. Didn't want to waste any more of it when they could be together.

Cassian was silent as he led Jyn through the maze of tunnels until they reached his quarters. Quick to key in the door code, he waited until it slid open, and gestured her inside first. Deep breath. This probably wasn't going to be easy, but it was necessary.