[ Polaris shimmers around Jesse as if reacting to his thoughts. Maybe it's more how his thoughts and emotions seem to be on the same wavelength. Polaris is trying to tune everything in the room to her frequency. It's what the resonance being does, and so, everything coursing through Alan is shared to the resonance. Jesse has no awareness of it other than a feeling that attention should be turned entirely towards Alan and not the story.

Both hands settle on the sides of his face. She presses the kiss further into him as he leans forward. Magic kisses that wake princesses don't exist, so she doubts it would give him strength. It may not even be comforting to him anymore. She feels as if he's so far away despite being next to her and being awake.

« Why does it feel like nothing I do helps? He's awake now. He's himself. But, it feels worse than ever now. Like it's hopeless--like he's hopeless. Has he given up on the story? On us? Me and you. Me and him. »

Her forehead presses to his. ]

I know... that I'm not the greatest at any of this. At words... at people... at being with someone. [ Jesse's gaze drops from his. She frowns hard, eyebrows coming together as she tries to lock her emotions down. ] I hear everything you say. Everything you tell me. When you speak, or when you send messages on the Hotline, or even in the manuscript pages. I listen to everything. Even if--even if I don't know what to say or what to do to show that.

[ Her eyes close as her fingers curl against his beard. ] I want you in the room with me. You can help me ....a-and I'll get you through anything you need. So, don't give up yet.

Please.

[ Forehead presses to his once more before she kisses him again. ]