[It honestly still surprises her each time, because she enjoys easy affection between friends, but it's never been so obviously warm and nice like this before. But she certainly doesn't dislike it.

And she squeezes back, gentle.]

I bet it won't be easy... I've been making my own decisions most of my life, and it can still sometimes be hard... But when that day comes, we'd never leave without making sure you could make it. And that you were okay.

[Because as much as she misses her home, needs to see her parents again and make sure they're okay, wants to build a life there... She could never live with herself just abandoning all the friends she's made along the way.]

That's a promise. And I've never broken a promise.