[ What a jerk! Headpats right out the gate should be outlawed! As if she's going to stop him, though. They're so deliciously bad for her, so of course she wants every single bit of contact she gets from his hand. She leans in closer, letting out soft noises of contentment. ]

I didn't help with the things I said...

[ She should've known better. How many novels has she read where a similar scenario happened? The whole "pushing someone away for their own good" only ends in tragedy. Their situation had been no exception to the rule. Spending ages crying herself to sleep was all it netted her. Idiot.

Her eyes close. She relaxes against him further. As long as they keep their physical contact at this level, they'll be fine. ]

Mm, we can talk about it later. Or never. I'd rather have this moment with you. [ A giggle. ] Like you said, we don't have the sunset, but we've got the ocean. And we've got stars, too.

[ We've got each other. It'd be too much to say that out loud, so she keeps it in her head. ]

I'll stay with you as long as you want.