Ashley had been a little surprised that Toby hadn't slipped his hand out or moved away from her. She had taken him as kind of guy who was wary of others so he tried not to get too close. When he gripped her hand back her eyes had actually started glazing over, threatening to let tears spill over at any moment. She was scolding herself on being such a cry baby when he pulled her into a sort of hug. Her train of thought ended there.<br/><br/>"If you need to cry, just let it out, my father said that in times like this... it's ok to cry, so let it out if you think you need to."<br/><br/>His words seemed to echo in her head. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks as her face flushed. Without consent (or thinking it over) she wrapped both arms around his neck and hugged him.<br/><br/>"You idiot!" she whispered, "I cry way too much and I bet you never even let yourself cry. Why do you have to be the strong one? I'm suppose to be trying to help you!"<br/><br/>The warmth of another person was defiantly comforting. After all she didn't know how this guy would react. But it had been so long since she had talked to someone, much less had any physical contact. And Ashley was sort of a physical person. She'd be the one to take the hug instead of the greeting. She had always been this way and maybe it was because her family had always been so affectionate. Thinking of them made her hug all the more sincere. What all survivors were going through... hell, comforting physical contact was as valuable as rations. In her mind anyway.