As was usually the case whenever they got too close, Meg felt the urge to run. She felt it in the pit of her stomach and only a great push of willpower kept her rooted to the spot. She thought about going back to her home, knowing he wanted her with him, and the misery that would cause. Was it worth it to avoid the fluttering of panic she felt at his display of affection? She honestly wasn't sure. Something about the way he looked at her, she felt like leaving him behind, leaving him hanging like this, would be worse than anything she could have done. If she ran every time he tried to be close to her, he might stop reaching. Maybe it would be for the best, but she was selfish enough not to care. He needed her help in so many ways, but it seemed she was the one making all the changes, and she wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
Slowly, she took a step towards him. Reaching out with her right hand, she lightly touched the side of his arm, running her fingers lightly downward, until they touched the skin of his hand. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she slid her hand into his, intertwining their fingers, and squeezing lightly. When she opened her eyes, she looked up at him, a bit questioningly. This was what he wanted, right? Her move had brought her close to him, her chest almost touching his. He always managed to surprise her. The less she gave him, the more he seemed to give her back. She could feel her pulse quickening at his nearness and she smiled up at him softly. He was the only one who ever got to see her be soft. She wondered if he even understood how much that meant.
"How's it feel?" she asked quietly, honestly curious as to what that small point of contact might bring out in him. Did it make his pulse race, as it did hers? Did it make him want to lean into her, the way she leaned into him? Did it make him feel a leap in his stomach that couldn't be explained or controlled? She was beginning to feel that any point of contact with him was worth it, no matter the connotations, no matter how mundane and human it made her feel. She wanted to stay like this just for a little while, and remember what it felt like to have someone look on her with kindness, as so few had.