There was a single night back in the mountains where they had all huddled close in their lean-to, the five of them. It hadn't been like this. Even if it had, that night had been bitterly, terribly cold, and she would have thought nothing to be near like this.

That was a lifetime ago. But even now, she did not feel uncomfortable with Kell. Instead, the positioning, being near him, all of this... It stirred up feelings again, a heavy heartache that was painful but not unwanted. He situated himself and she followed suit, leaning against his chest. Neria put her arms around him loosely, and she fitted herself so they were not so strangely twined. And, nestled close, she could hear his heart beating, a steady thrum that was calming to her.

"I'm fine," she whispered, looking up at him. "Are you? It's not...too bad, right? I can make myself smaller, if it'll help--"