Damien didn't try to comfort her physically. Just sat quietly, letting her have the moment without making it awkward or demanding response.
When she finally composed herself, he silently offered a handkerchief. She took it, wiping her eyes, feeling raw and exposed in ways she rarely allowed.
"Thank you," she managed. "For the research. For letting me – " She gestured vaguely at her tear-stained face. " – for this."
"You're welcome." He paused. "For what it's worth, your father would be proud of you. You're fighting the same fight he died for. Just with better information about the real enemy."
[INTIMACY MILESTONE: SHARED VULNERABILITY]
[CORRUPTION PROGRESS: SIGNIFICANT]
They worked in silence for a while after that, the emotional moment settling into comfortable quiet. Seria found herself relaxing in ways she didn't usually around others – not performing competence, not proving worth, just existing.
It was unsettling how comfortable it felt.
