Yelena stiffened when she felt it—the gentle, steady rhythm of his hand stroking across her back. Her breath caught, and for a moment she thought she had imagined it.
But no, it was real. He was actually holding her, actually soothing her. Her eyes widened, and she pulled back just enough to see his face.
A confused, almost disbelieving smile spread across her lips, as though she had been caught in a dream.
"You...of all people are actually comforting me? Stroking my back, like you mean it?" She whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "That's a sight I never thought I'd see. I never would have expected this from you, Mika."
Mika arched a brow at her, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
"What in the world are you talking about? Why are you acting like I'm some sort of emotionless monster?"
"...Do you seriously think I'm a heartless demon who can't even pat someone's back after they pour their heart out?"
