Heron Lake Plateau [expletive deleted]

His rough translation made Bat's heart leap. She nodded eagerly at him (ignoring the way it made her head ache). It wasn't perfect but it was good enough for her. They would be able to communicate, even without assistance. But Tegan didn't seem satisfied. With furrowed brow, he threw back his head and called for his older sister.

Bat blinked at this, a lightly amused expression taking over her weary features. "She's deaf!" she mouthed, trying very hard to enunciate. She pointed at one of her own over-sized ears, then sat her foot back down on the ground. Nevertheless, it would be good to see Towhee.

It was good to be home. -Tegan,- she signed, eyes filled with dozens of unnamed emotions. "I couldn't just stay with strangers. I had to come back," she rasped quietly, trying to mime some of it, "to you. I had to come back to you." Bat repeated herself, saying it even more slowly the second time. She drew in a breath and locked eyes with him before exhaling, "'Cause I love you."

And then, because this was Bat and Tegan, she grinned at him and punched his shoulder (quite weakly, really) even as her heart thudded rapidly in her tired chest. "You hear that, you whackass? I love you!"