( "remembered" might be giving him more credit than he thinks he's due. it just comes to him from some long-abandoned place deep in the well of his mind. guess that maybe counts as a memory, sure. where he learned it, how, when, that's all too vague to recall. but the tune comes naturally like he's known it his whole life. other than a short, soft huff of a laugh through his nose, for a little while he just goes on humming and swaying them from side to side. like the slow dances at those far-off weddings, he recalls dimly. way out in the west where the women wore all white and walked down a long aisle to meet their groom, spoke their vows before their god and then had a big helluvaparty. hardly a dance so much as a sway, hand in hand, cheek to cheek. this isn't quite that, but it reminds him of it a little.

if he can remember those places, can he remember what hjalle is like this time of year? or where exactly the hot springs he grew up around are? maybe. he strokes his hand down her back, a little less fearful of being overly careful with his touch. this can't last. he shouldn't be here. he doesn't deserve to be here, besides. but he hasn't felt this kind of peace in... so long. so, so long. )

I'm only as good as the company I keep. Which... hasn't been any. Not for a long time. If you think I've got any talent left, it's only because you're around to bring it out in me.