[She shakes her head when she feels him try to shove her away again, but it only makes her grip him that much tighter, the armour almost choking when she presses right up against him. She wishes that she could just shed it all so that he could feel her properly, and she him...]

I don't know either, but you're back now. So stop it for a second, okay? Because I'm not going anywhere.

[She continues to whisper in his ear, her voice as soft and reassuring as ever, if not a bit firm in her resolve.]

Just breathe.