They've never been good at speaking the important things to one another, so she's gotten used to reading him in other ways. What she feels in his touch is nothing short of amazing.

Her hands grip his shirt, and she trembles, her breath hitching as she kisses him. It's relief, and joy, and sorrow, all together a wash of emotion too rich to express any other way but through something so simple. So rare and wonderful.

There is gratitude in her touch as well.

Without him, she has no idea where she might have ended up. That's a thought she can't even look in the eye.

When she pulls back, she's sniffling, smiling through her tears.

'Besides, I still owe you a date. A proper one, without interruptions.'