[ Anyone with an ounce of empathy, faced with a friend crying, would feel inclined to comfort. He simply didn't want her to feel as though he was patronizing her. They know so little about each other, but he can't help but feel honored that she's chosen him to confide in.
Even if her troubles have no solution, and it is grief and regret to be processed, but perhaps never truly healed from.
He stands up, leaning down and offering her his hand to guide her onto her feet. It's hard to hug someone while they're still sitting down. ]
[ This is enough, or so she wants to say, but between the gentle close of his fingers around hers to pull her up and then the strength of his arms wrapping around her body, it's impossible to do much more than to let the tears fall. Into his shirt, unfortunately, as she buries her face into his chest and cries, but sacrifices have to be made. She'd apologize if she were capable of it, but at the moment she can only think about how sad she feels about all of it, and how comforting it is to be held by someone else. It's comforting enough that she just lets herself cry, regardless of how pathetic she sounds or how ugly she must certainly look or how long it all takes.
Eventually, her shoulders stop shaking and she's able to breathe again without her body threatening a fresh bout of tears. Sniffling, she blinks her eyes a few times, though she doesn't yet lift her head, wanting to stay in his embrace just a little bit longer. ]
Sorry.... [ One day she'll stop apologizing. ] I got your shirt all wet.
[ Siegfried doesn't know the right words to say, or if there even are any words that could possibly help her, with how fresh the memories seem to be. So he doesn't say anything. He simply embraces her how he thinks he would have liked to be comforted, in the times that he's lost comrades, men under his charge, friends. While he's honored that she trusts him enough to be vulnerable like this, hurting like this isn't something he wishes on anyone, much less a friend.
He pulls back slightly when Annette does, shaking his head and frowning. ]
Stop apologizing. You deserve to grieve, and it's cruel that you weren't even allowed to pay respects in your home.
[ He'd gotten that closure himself, at least. He falls quiet, then looks around for something to offer her— a tissue, a handkerchief, even a clean napkin. There's a small one underneath their teacups, which he reaches for, and uses it to gently dab at her tear-stained cheek. ]
I'll stay for as long or as little as you want me to. I wish I could do more.
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[ Anyone with an ounce of empathy, faced with a friend crying, would feel inclined to comfort. He simply didn't want her to feel as though he was patronizing her. They know so little about each other, but he can't help but feel honored that she's chosen him to confide in.
Even if her troubles have no solution, and it is grief and regret to be processed, but perhaps never truly healed from.
He stands up, leaning down and offering her his hand to guide her onto her feet. It's hard to hug someone while they're still sitting down. ]
I only wish there was more I could do.
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Eventually, her shoulders stop shaking and she's able to breathe again without her body threatening a fresh bout of tears. Sniffling, she blinks her eyes a few times, though she doesn't yet lift her head, wanting to stay in his embrace just a little bit longer. ]
Sorry.... [ One day she'll stop apologizing. ] I got your shirt all wet.
you don't have to reply to this but i wanted to
He pulls back slightly when Annette does, shaking his head and frowning. ]
Stop apologizing. You deserve to grieve, and it's cruel that you weren't even allowed to pay respects in your home.
[ He'd gotten that closure himself, at least. He falls quiet, then looks around for something to offer her— a tissue, a handkerchief, even a clean napkin. There's a small one underneath their teacups, which he reaches for, and uses it to gently dab at her tear-stained cheek. ]
I'll stay for as long or as little as you want me to. I wish I could do more.