His talk of feeling guilty makes her smile, and though it's just a small thing, it helps. Something in her feels lighter afterward, and she has that hope again for their future. For all the small problems they may encounter and face together, there's a good balance between them, a measure of support and respect that she wouldn't trade for anything.

"I'll see you soon then," she replies with a slightly bigger smile, that fluttering back in her chest at that sweet kiss. Affectionate respect, that's all it was. That's all she could think it was, since they... are what they are. She will not push him for anything more.