She breathed a startled puff of laughter, self-aware and goodnaturedly embarrassed. "I— that silver tongue of yours, I swear— how the hell was I to know you'd made such kind judgement of me? And it... it seemed very pragmatic at the time, to prepare to make my case..."

Her smile was still tremulous, but at least she'd stopped crying, dark eyes red-rimmed and very honest. She made some helpless gesture, I couldn't very well do nothing, you realise, and leaned to fold herself against him, face tucked toward his shoulder, and hugged him hard.