They go on like that for a long time, her hands over her face, gasping and sobbing, shaking like a leaf. Her heart is hammering like hummingbird wings, leaving her dizzy and leaden as it slows to a normal rhythm. There's a dull throb spanning her forehead, an unbearable heat encasing her face.

After a long, long while, it feels safe to come out.

She peels her hands away from her face, sucking in slow, deep breaths of cool air. She doesn't open her eyes for shame of seeing his face, or him seeing hers. However, she doesn't pull from his embrace either.



"Did I hurt you?"