Oh – [ for reasons she does not yet understand, she holds her breath as soon as his palm meets her cheek in the gentlest, warmest way. as brief as the gesture is, it still serves to make her melt into her seat, shoulders and hands losing all their tension. it takes her a moment to return to her own space, no longer reaching out to touch him. the mug needs her attention again.

strangely, all she has to do is blow some air over the top of the mug to get it to really cool down to her ideal temperature. ]

I know we're not meant to – [ discuss, she doesn't say, instead shaking her head. ] – but it is worrisome. I'm glad to have found you again – ah, even though you weren't really lost. [ though who knows, really. some anxious whispers have reached her ears and she has tucked those away for more deliberation. ]

I am here for you as well. [ and she means it, even if they aren't entirely whole. something, at the very least, feels right between them. ] In whatever way I can help.