[ There is a long silence while Alexandrie weighs the truth of what her mind had leapt to wanting to say. To make sure she does not borrow overmuch from the years of love she had known from another. To make sure it is his; for above all else she cannot lie to him in this. Above all else she cannot offer such a shelter and have it be made of anything that she knows might fall.

In the meantime her hand continues its movement. Her other holds his. She breathes slowly, tries to catch the scent of him beneath the sea.

And when she thinks it true, she whispers back ]

You cannot ruin this. Not if you love me.

[ She shakes her head only enough that her nose stirs his hair a bit before she settles again. ]

There will be storms, and waves— some like to crack the bow— but love me as constant as I will love you and we will find our way back always.