[Natalie Arazi]

A set of bright eyes opened to meet her own, and Natalie knew they could catch the finite details in her expression. At least Teddy could see the honesty in which Natalie spoke. How her words carried conviction, even with the gentle tone she was known for. More than anything, she wanted the lawyer to believe her. To see herself the way Natalie did. She was far too perfect to feel anything hint if doubt in herself.

When she was pulled closer, she immediately tightened her hold on the lawyer, keeping her close like she could somehow protect someone who was already so strong.

"You deserve all the kindness in the world," she breathed in response, filtering a hand up to press against the back of Teddy's neck.

[Theodora James]

Being worthy of kindness sounded so minor, but the weight behind it was very real. She wasn't surprised to hear Natalie speak in such a way; she was the personification of everything so good as it was. Of course she wouldn't accept anything remotely self-deprecating, even if she hadn't admitted to seeing herself in any kind of way.

She kept her eyes focused despite the closeness between them. A hand at the back of her neck provided a great kind of comfort she hadn't known she needed. Hands tracked down to her shoulders, fingers curling into the fabric of that sweatshirt that looked so good one! her. "You are perfect." And even if she couldn't believe it, Teddy sounded as if there wasn't a truer way to describe her.

[Natalie Arazi]

As Natalie felt the material around her form tighten, she sucked in a short breath, realizing it offered a form.of stabilization on its own. But the air in her lungs was quickly lost yo the words that came out of her counterpart's mouth. The hint of a shy smile pulled at her lips, only because it seemed so like her to pull out such an intense descriptor.

Dark eyes glanced down, her head gently shaking like it would be enough to argue against the lawyer. "Not at all." Because such words were impossible to accept. "But if anyone was to believe it, I'm glad it's you."

And with her own gaze shifted, she thought she found some.sort of strength herself. "I-" And already, she swallowed them and tried to start over, though she barely got anywhere on a new path. "You."

[Theodora James]

The entire situation carried a great sense of irony; how Teddy refused to accept the compliment thrown at her, but she expected her own to be so well received. The small shake of her head had Teddy exhaling in the threat of a laugh. She knew she wouldn't accept those words the second they left her mouth. At least there was some kind of understanding if she could accept that Teddy saw her in such a way. Given recent information, she was sure she wasn't the only one making such a speculation.

As she stumbled through the words she chose, Teddy knew she couldn't piece anything together from that. Two words was hardly enough to get an accurate picture. "What was that?" She had to ask, but she wasn't quite willing to push the issue.

[Natalie Arazi]

Natalie knew better than to try and change her wording, or to at least offer something a little more significant than two little words that hardly made sense on their own. Yet there she stood, completely consumed by the British woman and lost for words, and even asked for clarification.

Her head tilted up a fraction again, catching the lawyer's eyes before she kissed her lightly, like it would be enough to offer in response to silence.

[Theodora James]

Despite how she had been pushed - light as it was - to speak on a subject she hadn't initially wanted to, she wasn't willing to offer the same pressure. It had been kind enough for Natalie to accept what Teddy had been saying about Olivia at all, and for her, that was enough. A single question was all she wanted to give.

And while eye contact was everything for Teddy, in the end, a small kiss was the real answer she got. It wasn't heavy; it was composed to the complete lack of composure just displayed in that conversation. When they broke apart, she didn't go far. Arms shifted to wrap around her and press herself against her completely, pulling herself into an embrace.