Raylan blinked a few times at her answer, catching onto her plan as soon as she stood up but the half waved gesture of dismissal was ignored as Athena wrapped around him. It might be stupid or weird that he was taking comfort from a person miles younger than he was, but that didn't stop the rush of relief that she was there, solid against him.

"I love you, Songbird. Never got around to sayin' it there, but somehow, you managed to wriggle in and hook me and I'm not gonna let you get away again without sayin' it to your face." Just in case. Just in case he woke up in the morning to an empty mattress beside the couch he'd end up sleeping on.