Alecto tensed her hand while he spoke, she knew and could relate to being yelled at and bullied around, but never to the extent that he spoke of. Her own father had been hard, strict and cruel most time and her mother was a damned harpy, at least until she died. She continued to listen to Severus' ranting, his anger than made her cower slightly,"You didn't do anything wrong, Severus. Nobody appreciated you." Alecto tried to give him whatever she could, her hand releasing his and embracing him as much as he allowed.
She was so torn on how to ease him, how to make his pain go away. Each repressed feeling made her stroke his back, clutch the fabric there or anything to let him know that she was still there. When he seemed to be angered, she pulled away and crossed her arms protectively over her chest. His ideals were slightly fucked, but what could she really do? Nothing to be completely honest, she could only help him if he wanted it.
Please, I need this.
"You don't need to ask me, Sev. I will do it." She didn't smile, only nodded to his request.