[Part of him thinks that it must still be a dream. Aubrey is here, sitting across from him, smiling softly, taking his hand. It's not as if that's an entirely novel phenomenon, but after everything, it feels surreal (long-lingering childhood crush notwithstanding, but it doesn't help the reality factor).
[He has to trust her as much as he can, with what he can. He takes her hand and holds it to his chest again. It makes him feel anchored, doing it like that; squeezing, releasing...just like a stress ball.]
You too.
[He doesn't need to be coddled or cared for any more than anyone else does. He can take care of her too...
[He uncurls his hand from hers to hold out his pinky. Not everything has to change just because time moves on, right?]
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[He has to trust her as much as he can, with what he can. He takes her hand and holds it to his chest again. It makes him feel anchored, doing it like that; squeezing, releasing...just like a stress ball.]
You too.
[He doesn't need to be coddled or cared for any more than anyone else does. He can take care of her too...
[He uncurls his hand from hers to hold out his pinky. Not everything has to change just because time moves on, right?]