Bruce watched her for a moment without speaking. The tension in her shoulders was subtle, she was too composed to let it be anything more, but he knew her well enough now to read what she didn't put into posture or expression. The slight inward quality of her focus. The way her fingers rested against the bracelet a half second longer than necessary each time.
He reached over without ceremony and placed his hand gently against her upper back, the touch easy and warm, and guided her toward him until her head rested against his shoulder. She went without resistance, something she would never have done in almost any other setting, and the exhale she released was slow and slightly unsteady at the edges.
"Don't worry, Sophie," he said quietly, his voice low enough that it belonged only to the space between them. "I'll handle everything."
