Sadie hugs Ben even tighter, trying to anchor them both in this storm they had found themselves unwittingly pulled into. She feels him shudder in the hug, his head resting on top of hers, the way his breath stutters, the warmth of tears as they roll down Ben's face.

All Sadie can do is rub circles on Ben's back and bite her lip as the emotional damn bursts and tears roll down her face, wetting Ben's collar and neck. She gently pats his back in acknowledgement of Ben's thanks, not trusting herself to speak just yet without breaking down again or shout curses at the space around them.

It is silent as the two teenagers hug each other aside from the purring of Sadie's cats. Sadie finally feels centred enough to speak. "You're Ben, no matter what. Nothing will ever change that. And if someone tries to tell you differently I'll deck 'em."