His grin and shrug, though small gestures in and of themselves, were a relief. She almost thought that he’d not appreciate her lack of proper words to describe what she thought of his talents. There was always the expression she had on her face, certainly, but it didn’t say precisely how she felt; She herself didn’t even know how she felt. A little self-conscious that he had paid so close attention to her, to get every detail of her face just so. Flattered that he had paid so close attention, and captured the emotion in her face, in her eyes.<br/><br/>Even with that, though, it paled in comparison to what he said next. Her eyes widened, lips parting as she made to say something, only to stop herself. No words, not a one to be found. Within a few moments, he’d made her speechless, twice over. So, rather than try to say what she was feeling, her eyes dropped to his form, following the direction of his arm as it disappeared behind her. Scooting just that small bit closer to him, so her shoulder rested against him like it had back in the cave, her hand reached back to rest lightly atop his.<br/><br/>“I’m glad you wouldn’t give it up…I would be lying if I said that I wanted it to change…”<br/><br/>Her voice was low, whispered, as she rested a touch against him. And, for a moment, she just stayed like that, enjoying the moment and the flickering light of the fire, the warmth it gave. But, after that silence continued, she spoke again. “What would I do without you?” It wasn’t truly a question directed at him, but more to herself, more because of how grateful she was to have him. In her lessened state, tired and worn, he’d still stuck by her. He’d whisked her away to give her the break that she needed, and didn’t push her away when she flinched at his gaze, or hesitated to touch him.<br/><br/>He was everything Ivor wasn’t.<br/><br/>“How do you spend your days now?” she asked, out of curiosity. “Do you spend it tinkering about here? Or do you go back to that clearing? Explore?”