Before she even speaks a word in return, that touch as she cradles his face is assurance enough. The smile, the affection, the words of affirmation that follow — they all serve to settle his own nerves, and make his hearts ache in a way they haven't for so very long. There wasn't all of this uncertainty on his part in that shared dream so far into the future; he remembers being content, he remembers forgetting why he'd ever thought the idea of settling down was something to run away from. Nothing was ever mundane with Julia, in that future. There was always adventure, things to do, but even the quiet moments were something he'd come to appreciate. No matter what, there was love, even in the worst of times. Always that.

But this isn't that future, and their shared nerves are a very real thing, but he feels settled now, he feels like he can embrace this and let himself be. He can enjoy the fact that they're kissing in a way they haven't ever before, not relegated to just a dream or a non-physical plane. The Horizon is all well and good, to at least see her as often as he can, but it isn't this.

There's none of his fumbling as their lips meet, there's no wondering where to put his hands, there's only an equal desire for more of this as his hands anchor to her hips and lower back. When she pulls back to push his jacket off, though, he moves his hands, threading them through her hair tenderly before letting his thumb stroke along the length of her jaw.

"Oh, very much," he smiles, his voice a little husky. "I have wanted you, Julia." Since she's begun to remove his clothing, he feels more confident doing the same with her, now reaching out to begin unzipping her dress, while his lips press a soft kiss to her bare shoulder as it's revealed.