Alethea was glad that he did not turn her away. Instead, he wrapped her up in his arms and held her. He was warm and his arms held her with a gentle strength that brought more comfort to her than she might have expected. His arms and his warmth surrounded her and she seemed to only now realize how much taller he was than her, as her head landed somewhere near the top of his chest, below the line of his shoulders.<br/><br/>She felt her worries ease and slowly, she relaxed in his arms and the tension left her muscles. She held him in return, just as gently, burying her face in his chest, imagining, for just a moment, that the rest of the world had disappeared, that they didn't need to save the galaxy, that they didn't have to risk everything, including themselves, each other, and the future itself. For that moment, however long it lasted, it was just the two of them.<br/><br/>He didn't speak, nor did she. It was silent, but not awkward. In fact, it was pleasant and peaceful. No less so when he began to hum softly, the same tune he had played for her before when they had discussed his music. It was comforting and somehow, through the music and the Force, he shared even more warmth. It was strange, but not unpleasant--something she had never experienced before, and quite more calming and relaxing than simple meditation.<br/><br/>She felt his fingers gently stroking up and down her spine in time with the song he hummed. It was oddly soothing, but more than that. It felt pleasant, in a way she hadn't expected. Almost electrifying, in some strange way. Yet still she remained, unable to bring herself to move, not wanting the moment to end, nor wanting to ruin it. Not ready, yet, to face reality once again.<br/><br/>She couldn't say how long they stood there like that. A few minutes, or hours, she didn't know. For all she knew, it could have been days (but it wasn't, since they would have arrived on Tatooine). But it didn't matter. She enjoyed it for as long as she could. However long it was, it ended all too soon, when he fell silent and stepped back. Her eyes found his as he moved away, searching them. His green eyes were filled with warmth as they gazed steadily into hers. She found herself unable to look away as he finally spoke up, his voice a whisper.<br/><br/>Her eyelids fluttered shut when he brushed a lock of her hair to one side. She thought that she must look a mess, after everything they had been through, but it hardly mattered now. Her blue eyes opened again almost immediately, finding his once more. She slowly nodded in response to his words, her eyes remaining locked on his. "Yes, I suppose we should," she whispered, but made no move to leave. She should, she knew that. They both needed rest. Yet she couldn't bring herself to move. Instead, she just stood there, waiting. Although, what it was she was waiting for, she could not say. A reason to go? A reason to stay? For him to go? Or for him to stay? She didn't know, but either way, for the moment, she chose to stay.