He can feel her try to step back from them, but he isn't as kind and his grip tightens as it shifts down to her waist. It’s selfish, terrible, but he wants only those couple inches between them and no words to ask it.

Not when their words carried so much already. His spoke of safety and vengeance and a sweep of gutting relief that stings his eyes he shouldn’t be feeling. Hers spoke of love and concern even through a berating tone, and he wants to bury himself in it. He won’t. Seeing them while is enough.

“I got scared. Something you said before leaving sat ill in me and I worried for you two, that you’d get hurt on account of me. I couldn’t sleep. I thought…I’d start with the zoo and go from there, I forgot I could-” text. Call. He did it so often and yet sometimes, instinct ran first and his phone sat forgotten in his pants pocket. “I’ll not keep you now that I’ve seen you, I just…I…”

His hand at Amelia’s waist and Hawke’s arm tighten and his eyes lower to look away from them as his emotions fail him and them.

“Thank you.” I love you.