For all that he'd been unwilling to initiate a hug, that didn't mean that he wasn't willing to accept one. He didn't tense when she embraced him, but rather seemed to melt into the hug as if it had been his own idea.

bad things happen to good people and no one is to blame.

Erskine begged to differ. Mevolent was very clearly to blame.

His eyes shut tightly as he hugged Valdis back, an attempt to keep tears from forming. His chest tightened uncomfortably and his breath caught. One of these days he might actually pour his problems out onto someone else. One of these days.

"It is... nice to have a friend again," he confessed quietly.