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"I've seen you on every screen," he whispers with voice so soft I have to lean closer to catch each precious syllable, "but you're truly beautiful in real life."

The admission sends warmth through my chest that has nothing to do with attraction or designation response. Recognition flows between us that transcends physical appearance to encompass something deeper—connection forged through shared struggle and mutual sacrifice despite separation and technological mediation.

"I'll look better once I'm out of here and get a nice meal," I respond with light humor that attempts to mask the overwhelming emotion threatening to spill over into complete breakdown. "Instead of fighting for survival every moment. But I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to eat a burger or something because you need the protein to build up that muscle if you're going to fight Riot for a chance to be in the pack."

The joke emerges with deliberate casualness, treating his inclusion as inevitable rather than negotiable. Pack expansion rather than rescue mission, territorial addition rather than simple survival extraction.

His lavender eyes fill with tears that gather like liquid amethyst in hollow sockets marked by prolonged suffering and medical decline. The sight proves more devastating than any institutional torture or psychological manipulation I've endured throughout these trials.

"I'm supposed to die here, Jinx," he whispers with acceptance that carries six years of resignation and institutional conditioning designed to eliminate hope alongside physical strength.

"None of my Alphas will be left behind," I counter with conviction that brooks no argument or negotiation. "Including you. You're my final Alpha."

The declaration transforms speculation into established fact, pack hierarchy adjusted to encompass five members rather than four. Mathematical solution to institutional barriers through recognition of truth that transcended initial assessment and strategic planning.

"How did you even know?" he asks with wonder that speaks to comprehensive curiosity about recognition methods and analytical processes that led to current understanding.

A smirk tugs at my lips as I lean down with deliberate precision, carefully lifting his hands from where they rest in his lap with gentle reverence that acknowledges both fragility and dignity. His fingers feel like paper and bone wrapped in skin that carries temperature far below normal parameters.

I position myself so our eyes meet at equal level, eliminating the strain required for conversation across vertical distance. His comfort takes precedence over my physical convenience during this crucial moment of connection and revelation.

"I researched everything about the Parazodiac," I explain with satisfaction that acknowledges thorough preparation and strategic intelligence gathering. "This was what we missed the first time. The final level only one person has been able to document, and he never lived to spread the word through the nexus."

Understanding crystallizes regarding institutional secrecy and administrative control over information distribution. The final level represents the deepest secret within facility operations, revelation that threatens comprehensive exposure of institutional methodology and administrative purpose.

I lean up with careful precision, bringing my lips to his with contact so gentle it barely qualifies as pressure. The kiss carries tenderness rather than passion, empowerment rather than territorial claiming. Recognition of worth that transcends physical condition or tactical capability.

His breath catches at the contact, warmth spreading across features marked by prolonged isolation and medical decline. The simple gesture provides validation that no amount of technological assistance or electronic communication could deliver.

"And that's when I put the pieces together," I continue with growing satisfaction at analytical success and comprehensive understanding. "That's why Press didn't want to kill me. He wanted to see if I could get you out."

The revelation transforms our entire ordeal into elaborate test with specific objectives that transcended simple pack formation or territorial claiming. Institutional curiosity about Omega capability when faced with impossible choices and mathematical limitations.

"You can't though," Maverick responds with resignation that acknowledges practical limitations and physical reality. "I probably won't make it."

The defeat in his voice triggers territorial response that bypasses rational assessment in favor of protective instinct and emotional investment. No Alpha under my protection accepts death without comprehensive resistance and strategic intervention.

My smirk returns with predatory satisfaction that transforms doubt into challenge and impossibility into tactical objective.

"You wouldn't die without a fight if it involves me, would you?" I counter with authority that demands confirmation rather than expressing uncertainty about his determination or survival instinct.

Recognition flows across his ravaged features as understanding dawns regarding the true nature of our connection and mutual investment in survival outcomes.

"You're right," he agrees with growing strength that speaks to emotional reinforcement and psychological support. "I wouldn't."

His pause carries weight that speaks to processing information and emotional revelation that requires careful consideration despite time pressure and tactical urgency.

"Your lips are soft," he adds with wonder that suggests limited experience with physical affection or intimate contact. "And nice."

The admission sends warmth through my system that transcends simple appreciation to encompass comprehensive recognition of what isolation has cost him beyond physical decline and medical complications.

My smirk deepens as tactical planning shifts into implementation phase despite emotional complexity and practical challenges that await physical extraction and transportation requirements.

"I'm gonna piggyback you out since you're light enough with the muscle wasting," I announce with casual directness that treats the impossible as merely inconvenient. "But we're gonna have to work on that because you better be able to take down at least Ash or something in six months."

The conversation flows with deliberate lightness as I position myself for transportation preparation and mechanical assistance. Casual banter serves psychological support while practical assessment determines optimal positioning and weight distribution for sustained carrying capacity.

Physical evaluation proves sobering despite attempts at humor and emotional encouragement. His body weight has diminished to levels that speak to prolonged malnutrition and systematic muscle atrophy beyond normal recovery parameters.