He felt something twist in his chest as the tears fell. For a worried moment, he wondered if he'd tread a line he shouldn't have. Not in this. Not with her.

But she moved and the doubt quieted. He curled, his arms winding around her in kind. His tail eased around them both, a habit so, so old yet never forgotten. In his core, he was relieved he could be like this again.

How could he not make the offer? This is someone who took the most hated being in creation, a title that deeply frustrated him and placed a heavy yoke on his shoulders, and gave him a chance. He knew he was weird. He knew he was pretty annoying. But she didn't seem to mind. She seemed to just... accept the things he'd divulged about himself, despite his worries about if it'd change anything. It made him want to tell her more, so much more...

"...And you! I'm so glad. I... I'm..."

He bit it back, realized he'd just contradicted the thought he had just a moment before. But there were easier ways to express, ways he was more comfortable with. Ways as easy as breathing.

♫♪ I won't pretend, I've been desolate ♪♫
♫♪ I won't pretend, I've been blue ♪♫
♫♪ It happened so quickly, one second it hit me ♪♫

♫♪ I've fallen quite hard over you... ♪♫

It was quiet, soft. But it was earnest. The air around them stirred, roused by a tune, letting the steam of the spring swirl and dance.

♫♪ I won't pretend, I've been anxious ♪♫
♫♪ Just like I've always been ♪♫
♫♪ This time, it's sticking ♪♫
♫♪ And time just stops ticking ♪♫

♫♪ When I have my arms around you... ♪♫

He turned his head, cheek nestled against her hair. The mist around them had caught against his own light, taking on a handsome gold itself, like a sunrise over a fog-dusted lake.

♫♪ Four-leaf clovers and lucky dimes ♪♫
♫♪ Coincidences and cosmic signs ♪♫
♫♪ Have proved that I am quite naive ♪♫

♫♪ I'm falling fast, failing gravity ♪♫
♫♪ And all that I see is serendipity... ♪♫