He turned his head towards her as if he was startled when she leaned back beside him, even though it was hardly a major shift. But it was closer than she'd been before, and it was something he noticed. Perhaps he was becoming oversensitive. Meeting Winter had made him very different indeed.

"It is," he agreed. "And I certainly would." He didn't have to wonder if Winter would lay down her life for Zelly: he knew it already and would have known it even if Winter had never even mentioned it. In fact, their most recent--and first--argument had been about that very fact, in a way. Gareth still wasn't happy about it but he had decided to hope it would never become relevant.

"I hope that too," he said softly. "Maybe that's all that really needs to be said." He hesitantly, gently set a hand on her shoulder, turning his head so he could look her in her eye.
"And... I'm glad you're here, Winter. Wherever we end up, I hope I'll end up near you."
What else could he say, when she smiled at him like that?