[ she's stroking her other hand through his hair, petting him ]

I will stay for as long as you need me. [ it's dangerous, looking the way she does and being on the surface world during times like this, but he needs her and that's what matters. she exhales a little, gill slits flaring ]

I have -- I missed you as well. I am... [ and she hesitates for a long moment, the word foreign on her tongue ] ... sorry for leaving you.