And just like that, she crumpled back against him, shaking. Trying not to shake. Trying to keep it together, already, Rikku, except he was lying except he wasn't lying except maybe he believed it except he always had the job come first except when he didn't except except except ...

His arms were a very good place to tremble. She would need a few moments, before she trusted herself to speak. Maybe a few minutes. She didn't know how long it was, really. Time sort of stopped, here.

"Can I?" she asked, in a very small voice. "Stay?"