[ At his apology, her gaze drifts and remains stubbornly focused on ... his chin. His remorse only serves to remind her of the strange look in his eyes when she had returned from the Undersea, weak and withering, and the days she had spent hoping he might miss her.

It gives her the time she needs to choke down on the emotion that lodges itself in her throat, overwhelming and sudden, and carefully compartmentalize it — tucked away where it can't harm her. Her head tips, subtly welcoming the soft stroke of his fingers through her hair, as though that touch might prevent the past from haunting her. ]

We made an agreement, didn't we? "As long as you remain by my side."

[ Finally, her eyes flit back up, that earlier burst of emotion vanquished from them. Like it had simply been a trick of the light. She holds his gaze, steadfast as ever. ]

I've sworn myself to stay. [ Her mouth feels dry when she adds, after a halting pause, ] If you'll still have me.