He tugs her hand away from his face, gives her a pleading look, and then tips forward. He doesn't know how to thank her for that particular faith, those particular works, so he just wraps his arms around her and breathes out.

He already said she's like family. Maybe it's more than that: she's a part of him that's outside of himself, looking right inside in turn. He can only hope she feels the same way, because if he ever tells her that she's going to tell him he's a big sap.