She held his hand softly, tracing unfocused patterns into his palm. It was rough and tattered, holding secrets and stories of which she'd never expected to know. His breathing was deep and calm, she could feel it on the back of her neck. Somehow it felt different as he smiled and reached his other hand around her, cupping her soft, careful hands in his long and tired grasp. She closed her eyes and imagined his face, smiling carefully and blinking slowly.

They could sit like this for days, and would if given the option. He lifted her hand back behind her and kissed it, pausing for a few long moments with her hand on his chapped lips. She turned her head slowly toward his and he brushed her hair back behind her ear, their gazes meeting and shared a passionate kiss.

This was something they'd always feared, always doubted, and somehow always looked forward to. It was everything they'd wanted and somehow nothing they'd expected. It was everything, and nothing.