It was the breaking of a dam.

The tears started, and they didn't stop. Nanoha cried into Fate's shoulder as she felt the other girl's arms around her. It felt good to let it out for once in the presence of one of the only people she'd ever let herself be vulnerable in front of. Their universe might have been gone, but now part of her world was here.

"You... you're late," she said with a sniff at last, trying to collect herself after her momentary breakdown.