Rose stifled something that sounded suspiciously like a giggle when he lifted his chin and gave her that brilliant grin. An ache settled in her chest and expanded. She wasn't sure if it was levity or longing or sadness relief or all of it at once. But as he started explaining the bit of tech he'd put together, she edged closer to him.
She didn't want to seem like she wasn't listening - she was - but it hurt, it really did, and she didn't know exactly how to stop it. Rose let go of his hand, only to twine the same arm around his and then lace fingers again. That suit. She set her cheek against his shoulder.
There were two things she was very certain about:
First, she wanted to stop hurting this one. She wanted to be good to him, the way he deserved.
Second, she was positive she was very, very, confused.