Caius's thumb lifted toward her face, steady but careful. Heather's body reacted before she even thought it through. She flinched hard, shoulders twitching, her head shifting back to avoid his touch.
Caius froze in shock. For a moment, he didn't move at all, his hand hovered awkwardly in the space between them.
'Does she really think I'm going to hurt her?'
The thought left him confused and a little crushed. He hadn't expected warmth, but he hadn't expected that.
Still, he managed to offer comforting words. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."
Those words seemed to keep her from pulling back again. Her body remained stilled. Against her own instinct, she let his thumb brush her cheek. He wiped away the teardrop that had lingered there.
Heather wasn't sure why she allowed it. She hated herself for not moving, but flinching twice felt childish. His touch wasn't rough or invasive. He was just... helping, it wasn't like he was crossing any lines.
