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He tried to hide it a little, but he wasn't trying too hard. Not more than a tear or two came down his face at a time. He was struggling to breathe a little, but refused to make a sound. It was almost like he had forgotten how to cry.

As Laurel looked at Nic's tears, she felt a shift inside of her that she didn't understand. She felt an almost overwhelming desire to take away Nic's sadness. Her face crumpled slightly as she reached up a hand and stroked his cheek gently, wiping away a tear, "Please..." she whispered, "Don't cry. Get angry, shout... kick something. But please, please don't cry." she pleaded with him, tears filling her own eyes as she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

Nic grunted a little as he tried to stop crying. It was proving to be difficult for him. After a minute, he reached around his hands and slowly and methodically traced Laurel's back. When he didn't find what he was looking for that seemed to help a little bit. After another minute or two the tears managed to stop.

[ "ambiguous" version ]

Laurel shivered a little as he traced her back but she continued to comfort him even after he had stopped. She continued to slowly run her fingers through his hair and down his neck gently. She felt a desire to keep touching him. After he'd stopped she looked back into his eyes, "... Are you angry?" she asked quietly, wiping away a tear-trail with her thumb.

"... I... don't know," he whispered honestly.

Laurel swallowed before nodding slowly, "... Can I ask you something?" she said quietly as she leaned forwards and rested her head against his chest. She closed her eyes, calming herself with his heartbeat. Even if he was angry... she felt relieved. It had felt like a secret. A burden she had carried by herself for too long.

"... Yeah," he told her quietly.

"I... haven't been able to sleep." she explained quietly, "Is it..." she paused, "Can I rest in your room tonight?"

Nic nodded slowly.

Laurel's eyes remained closed, "You don't... have to let me." she murmured, still listening to his heart, "Not after... I caused you so much trouble."

Nic nodded slowly again.

Laurel yawned slightly, "Oh... how stupid of me..." she muttered groggily near his ear, "How was your trip?" she asked, for the first time sounding very much like the past Laurel.

Nic was silent for a minute. "I'll tell you in the morning," he decided.

By the time Nic spoke, Laurel was nearly asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. "Mmn..." was her reply as her hold on him loosened.

Nic carefully shifted Laurel in his arms until he was holding her securely. Then he quietly started walking back to his room.

Laurel mumbled a few incoherent things as Nic returned to his room. But by the time he was there, she had stopped stirring.