Loriel didn't like seeing Elise in so much pain.
The woman was currently bent over and sobbing alone in the hospital benches. She looked so small as if she was making herself disappear from sight.
Elise buried her face in her hands as she couldn't hold back the tears.
It was a terrible sight.
His own heart hurt at the sight of Elise in so much pain that he tentatively reached out at first, unsure if it was right for him to do it, before simply pulling her into a hug.
Now wasn't the time to hesitate and think about the boundaries between their current level of friendship. It didn't matter right now. Elise lost her adoptive father and Loriel needed to be there for her.
Loriel soothed his wife and held her to his chest.
Elise was shaking in his arms and even dampening the shirt that he wore today, but he couldn't care any less. He was more concerned about her than he was about what was dripping down his shirt.
