PA53

Neo sidled up towards him, and then pushed herself between him and the counter. She looked up at him once more and tilted her head to one side.

Her naked concern almost did him in. For a moment, he worried his control might slip, but he caught himself before the misery could take hold. "I'll be okay," he whispered. "I just need to sort this out… or come to terms with it. Don't worry about me, Neo."

Neo didn't look convinced. With an almost adorable pout, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

His breath caught. He buried his face in her hair for a moment and took a deep breath. When it was done, he looked back up and smiled. "Thanks, Neo… I think I needed that."

The dangerous criminal released him with a wink and slipped away. He heard the door slam shut a few seconds later.

It did cheer him, if only a little. At least someone wasn't mad at him. At least he hadn't messed up that as well. With a rueful sigh and a shake of his head, Jaune focused on the task at hand. He froze a second later.

"Where's my sandwich!?"