[He doesn't say yes. But he doesn't say no, either. Touch is still a matter of deep and painful and terrifying trust, but he trusts her. He does.]
[So instead of saying yes or no or anything at all, he just stands and pulls her close and holds her: like an anchor, like something he can anchor. His hands press to her shoulderblades and he can feel the strength of her backbone holding them just so far apart, her steel-and-soft sister-form. Her strength. She is stronger than him, and he loves her for it, but then again, he'd love her anyway.]
[spam]
[So instead of saying yes or no or anything at all, he just stands and pulls her close and holds her: like an anchor, like something he can anchor. His hands press to her shoulderblades and he can feel the strength of her backbone holding them just so far apart, her steel-and-soft sister-form. Her strength. She is stronger than him, and he loves her for it, but then again, he'd love her anyway.]