Honestly, if not for the tentative swell of relief rising in her, she might be more than a little bit indignant that Saoirse's laughing at her. It's not as if she's pulled the idea out of nowhere. She's sat there and read Saoirse stories about selkies; they both know how they always ended, which is largely why she doesn't read them very often.

"It's not funny," she insists, ostensibly scolding, even as she gives Saoirse an extra-tight squeeze and kisses her cheek. "For goodness sake. I thought I was going to lose you."

She pulls back, cupping Saoirse's face in her hands. "But you're coming back? You promise?"