[That's all the permission she needs. There is so little space between them, but all of a sudden it's far too much, and she runs, runs, runs into his arms, catching her hand on his first, then burying her face in the solid wall of his chest, wrapping her arms around his back. He is so steady and unsteady all at once, so dangerous and safe, her Ben, her warden, but not anymore, but always.]

Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're amazing, you're my best friend, and I could never have done this without you.

[She would have died a thousand times from her own mistakes without him there to protect her, and show her how to protect herself.]