[ It helps. It's an anchor. She can feel his arm tighten around her and it's grounding and maybe Ritsuka's laugh in response to his reply is a little watery, softer than usual, but it's still genuine. ]

Well, someone said once that "actions speak louder than words." It looks like that's true.

[ It seems to work especially well when she applies it to Lessing, who has said before that he isn't the best at offering advice or saying something encouraging, but that he would listen. Who really only speaks when he's asked something and then does it succinctly and rationally.

But then he sits with her in the darkness of a quiet and otherwise empty kitchen and it's more than enough.

With a quick breath, Ritsuka lifts her head to meet his eyes, smile present but sheepish. ]

But, sorry. We're supposed to be relaxing. I'm locked in now, I promise.