Rose there, in his arms, felt foreign and familiar. He hadn't touched or held anyone in five years, at least. Grown a brand-new shell that fit only one.

He pressed a kiss to her hair.

"Yeah, but not like this. Not this state-of-emergency." He smiled, a small but very genuine smirk. "And I've been thinking it's my fault for long enough, Rose. Don't think you're changing my mind on that."