[At her reaction, he tightens his arms around her, pulling her in until she's sitting across his lap. He knows she needs him somehow, needs the reality of his presence, his touch. The hint of concern he felt is swelling now. She is collapsing, under the weight of... what? He can't tell. All he can do is hold her close and try and reassure her, even though he's not sure what she needs to be reassured of.]
I'm here, Laura. I'm here.
[The words are barely whispered, and he moves one of his hands to glide through her hair, cupping her head and holding her to him.]
It'll be okay.
[He doesn't know what it is, but he says it anyway because he believes that, whatever's wrong, it can't be wrong forever. Somehow, it will be okay. And he will stay for as long as it takes.]
D: IT'S SO SAD AND SO SWEET AT THE SAME TIME
I'm here, Laura. I'm here.
[The words are barely whispered, and he moves one of his hands to glide through her hair, cupping her head and holding her to him.]
It'll be okay.
[He doesn't know what it is, but he says it anyway because he believes that, whatever's wrong, it can't be wrong forever. Somehow, it will be okay. And he will stay for as long as it takes.]