[ It's weird. In all of Keith's travels, he's heard so many kinds of tragedies. From his best friend being abducted, experimented on and forced to fight in death matches in gladiator pits, families torn apart by the ravages of war, entire planets turned into slave labor camps or simply outright destroyed. Every time he thinks his understanding of just how bad the universe can get, something manages to one up it every time.

This isn't like that. What Bernadetta's been through is on a much smaller scale and it's not even something Keith fully understands. Whatever his parents had wanted from him -- one way or another, they weren't around to enforce it. But all the same, it still makes him angry to hear. With so much in the world that's wrong, surely if you're lucky enough to have a family then they should be a source of support? People who elevate you rather than lock you up and break you down. ]

Don't say that about yourself.. You're not useless, you're not weird, you've been nothing but a wonderful person to everyone I care about and you shouldn't have to feel that you're not good enough as you are. And if it's okay with you, I'm gonna give you a hug.

[ He sits up slowly, carefully enough to give her time to move away if she wants to. But she deserves a hug and he wants to (gently) squeeze the bad feelings out of her. ]