@rileypalmer // continued from x
He’d been flipping through the pages of the novel in his skinny hands for an hour, hazel eyes scanning each word at an unthinkable pace, his unfathomable mind ripping though each chapter in a matter of minutes -- his goal was to finish by the time they landed back in Quantico, but when he feels a sudden movement from the young lady stirring beside him, he makes a mental note; a checkpoint in his book, closing it in one hand and with the other worriedly awakening the agent from her nightmarish dream. Tears streaked her cheeks, even through her slumber, and his eyes widen; it must have been bad.
She opens her eyes after his repetitive call of her name, his hand gently soothing her shoulder and giving her gentle pats to wake her up. “ Riley, hey, hey -- it’s okay, ” he says timidly, subconsciously glancing toward a sleeping Morgan in the back of the plane; and he nervously hovers his hand over that same shoulder, unsure if she’d be okay with the comfort of his touch. “ You’re alright, d-don’t cry, okay? ” He’s gentle with her, setting his book down on the chair beside him and turning to face her fully.








