The reach for a half-hug was compromised when she curled further in against him. It seemed cold-hearted not to offer a full hug, at that point anyway, and so Bruce responded appropriately by sliding his other arm around her and holding on to her gently. Why wasn't there a book on etiquette when faced with a sobbing woman? Maybe he needed to get someone to author one so he could study.
He had no idea who any of the people were that she was talking about, but he did know that if that situation had been placed with him he would have done the exact same thing she did. Maybe it was cowardice, but the risk was too high. The stakes were too high and he knew the experience outweighed the will to live. Death was a blessing compared to what they faced.
Bruce shook his head, "Anyone that hates you is crazy. You're a good person that had the misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Nobody knows what that's like other than you and I. We are both victims of it and nobody else will ever know what that's like. I would have done the same thing in your situation if that was me. I could never bring this one anyone that I cared about." He kept his voice soft, to keep the moment between them and to block out the rest of the world.