[ It takes Thomas long moments to even register quite what she's said, and then he thinks yes and doesn't quite, at first, realise that he's not said it out loud.

(he stares up at her though, through slitted eyelids)

(has she ever looked so beautiful as she does now, when all the thoughts are pushed aside in his mind and wrapped in cotton wool, so that only she shines through clear and perfect?)

(his eyes slip shut totally after a few moments, and he just barely manages a twitch of the muscles at the corners of his mouth before his mouth relaxes as much as the rest of him, falling just barely open) ]