[and he lets her embrace him, his eyes open still, holding her tightly but looking, worried, down at the ground behind her. He's not at all sure how to make this situation better—but as long as PM loves him, he feels he can make it through. Talking to AR is a whole other story, though—what is there that he can even say? Should he say anything to him at all?]
[years in the desert really sap your romance skills.]