"Yeah, you felt stronger when I grabbed you, which I apologize for doing," he said, looking at the ground.
"I'm not sure..." she said quietly. "Are you..." She hesitated, embarrassed. "Are you with anyone right now?"
"I think I just did it because I needed reassurance?" his voice was unsure, and he wrung his hands nervously.
"Don't worry about it," she said quietly, standing up straight. "I hoped that you would move on." She gestured to the door. "We should head back."
"I want you back." His voice was sudden, and he seemed almost surprised that he said. "I, uh, don't want to be alone again."
She blinked and walked over to him, her head slightly cocked. "I really missed you, you know," she said, straightening his lapel.
"Half a year," she said, nodding, ignoring her pounding heart. "We've been apart longer than we were together."
She tilted her head thoughtfully. Her face was calmer than it had been six months prior. Their abrupt separation seemed to dampen any anxiety she had had. "No," she agreed. "It's not fair." She hesitated, still feeling an air of uncertainty. "Are you still on the ship?"
"Not anymore," he said, fixing a sleeve. "I'm staying near HQ now. It's kind of like where I used to live."
