[ he slides catches her immediately when she steps forward, winding both arms around her and holding her tightly. he tenses, releases, trying to draw all of that weight from her shoulders. he lets them stay there as long as they need to, his nose buried in her shoulder, his eyes closed. they're both alive. everyone is alive. ]

Darn right, we're alive.

[ he smiles, kisses her collarbone, and lays his cheek on her chest. ]

And we beat the snot out of them clock-stuckers. You 'n me, like we said. I never felt more alive than I did in that moment, let me tell you.