[She lingers there longer than expected; his hands are so warm against her bare back, and his jaw against her head, and she can even feel it from beneath the soft cloth of his shirt. Even more potent was his acceptance of her being this close, as if little by little he is trying to stop pushing her away. She's sad that he needs that distance.]
[It feels like a long time before she pulls away, arms unwinding from his neck as she takes a half-step backwards to smile up at him again, her expression one of gratitude.]