Elena looked at him for a moment. Then she said, with characteristic directness: "We can talk the failure later. Right now I need to pack a bag."
She stood.
He caught her hand as she moved past him.
She stopped. Looked down at his hand around hers.
"Raphael," she said softly.
"One moment," he said.
She gave him the moment. This was another thing about Elena — she gave him things without requiring explanation for why he needed them. Space when he needed space. Presence when he needed presence. This particular moment, standing in her small apartment with his hand around her wrist, just.....breathing.
"I'm alright," she said, after the moment had passed. "I promise. I'm right here."
"I know," he said. "I know you are."
He released her hand.
She went to pack.
She packed efficiently, the bag that was full within fifteen minutes, organized in a way that suggested she'd been half-prepared to leave quickly regardless of today's specific circumstances.
