All she wanted to do in that moment was hold his hand. It was such a simple thing, but it meant the world to someone whose touch so many feared, even with the protective layers of clothing she always wore. If only she hadn't lost her gloves back in that mountain temple, she might have managed to work up the courage to reach out to him. Without them, though, the only hand she would be holding was her own.

"That sounds about right," she agreed with the ghost of amusement in her voice, sniffling at the end. "It's been a really long day, and not in a good way." She looked up at him then, loosening her fingers and lifting a hand to wipe at the tears on her cheeks. There was something in his expression, a softness blended with concern, that tugged enough at her heart that she couldn't stop the words before they slipped out.

"I've missed you."