This time, she thinks she does feel the shift, like the tide rolling out and back in again. She isn't sure she always will, that she would if they weren't so close, if she weren't so focused on the tether, on the newness of it, sensory input she can't quite quantify.

"Apparently," she says with a little laugh, and straightens enough to lean over and press a kiss to the corner of his mouth in welcome.

"Think we're forgiven for waiting so long?"