[ she wants to say something, but all the possible words and sentiments that occur to her come up short. she knows what that's like from both sides, needing comfort and doing the comforting, offering a place to unburden and being offered. she decides to be silent too, for now. somehow it can be enough. she hopes it's enough for him.
she closes her eyes when she feels his arms wrap around her, smiles and grimaces at the same time.
it's enough for her.
it takes long moments, but she finally releases him, lets her feet find ground. her hands stay at his shoulders, partially to steady herself. it takes her a moment to say this, and it's not until after she does that she realizes all the things it could mean, what it meant that it took a moment and some kind of leap she's not sure she wants to acknowledge. ]
I care about you. [ right now, she just needs that to mean something uncomplicated. ] Maybe all this makes that obvious, but I think you should hear it.