A smaller journey, to be sure, but a journey has definitely happened in this conversation. The way he meets her eyes and the small smile that rises to them is restored to how they began—but now also so different. Contains all the levels and leagues that they've now traveled.

"I can't wait," he said softly.

But he has to. Because they can't pursue anything now. Risk interfering with it then.

Not least because, right now, he's underage. And even in a place like this, that probably wouldn't be good on any level.