She studied him, her expression softening before she stepped forward and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. Her body was warm and terribly familiar. "Then stay," she whispered. "Stay here. Make a difference here."
She said nothing, but rubbed his back slowly, resting her forehead on his shoulder. "Just... stay here, okay?"
She nodded, satisfied as she pulled away. "Good. Now, I have to go meet Briar, but come to our place when you're let go here, okay? We'll figure out where to put you."
She gave him a small smile. "Just up the hill. It's a grey house. It has honeysuckle and lavender. You can't miss it."
His eyes fluttered open slowly and he tensed momentarily but relaxed soon afterward. He paused in thought. The moments in which he felt fear strike through his heart were getting shorter and shorter. He kissed the top of her head before quickly realizing that his arms were around her waist. He moved them quickly, holding her around her ribs instead.
