[He can only look at her with some helplessness before he leans in and kisses her gently on the lips.]

I meant what I said. You've already been helping me...you help ground me, remind me that my past is the past and that I have something new and beautiful here. So long as I have you, no matter what happens to me I'll always have a reason to fight back through it.

And a reminder that I don't have to deal with any of this alone. Even... [A small sigh.] Even if I wish you didn't have to, either.

[He gently strokes her arm, but as he thinks back...]

...It does seem strange, though.