[She sits back, her hands on her knees, her smile a little shakier than it normally is.]

Well, that's good. It's brighter now, isn't it?

[Or maybe that's just the sugar. Whatever it is, she reaches to take his hand between her own, thumb idly stroking over the back of his knuckles.]

I'm glad you're here. [There's a silent moment, and she giggles.] I missed you, fellow puppet. The darkness is so much greater without your voice. It's harder to remember shining skies when all I have is my own scared sights.

This is. Is better.