"'Course," Ellie murmurs, settling her cheek against Derrica's hair, letting herself settle. She rubs her hand along her back, the heel of it finding a place between her shoulder blades, soothing the both of them.

To Ellie, it's not huge. And maybe that's what marks it as a big step. The fact that she doesn't see it that way.

Derrica's having a shitty day, and she needs a hug.

"D'you need me to come stand behind you and look important and mean?" she asks, trying for the edge of humor. She knows she's far from intimidating and farther from important, but it's the thought that counts.