[His mouth is pinched, listening to her speak, watching her relax, sink into a pain that she knows well. She's right, of course she is, but that's not what bothers him. Really, it's a relief to have someone see him.]
[It's just that she's hurting. And why wouldn't she be? He curses himself under his breath in the next moment, scowling down at his fists clenched in his lap. This is why he doesn't feel things where other people can see; it only ends in unnecessary pain. Of course she's hurting, the same hurt he has but protracted over months, years maybe, far too long, and he's the one moping like a child.]
Yes, but . . . I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I should be behaving better than this.
[His immediate reaction surprises her - the frown, the muffled curse, all of it shocking that bittersweet smile off her face. This isn't what she intended.]
You don't need to apologize. I wouldn't have done anything, if I didn't want to try to help.
[Try being the operative word. A piece of driftwood is still a piece of driftwood until it gets whittled down into something seaworthy.]
... Even if you were "behaving better," I wouldn't be able to stop myself from worrying. Because I know how that loneliness feels, and it must be all the more intense for you, with what you've gone through together. [And without the buffers of age, or communication...] So, what I'm trying to say is... if you want to talk about it, I'm offering time and an open ear.
But if not, that's okay too. The offer will be on the table no matter what.
no subject
[It's just that she's hurting. And why wouldn't she be? He curses himself under his breath in the next moment, scowling down at his fists clenched in his lap. This is why he doesn't feel things where other people can see; it only ends in unnecessary pain. Of course she's hurting, the same hurt he has but protracted over months, years maybe, far too long, and he's the one moping like a child.]
Yes, but . . . I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I should be behaving better than this.
no subject
You don't need to apologize. I wouldn't have done anything, if I didn't want to try to help.
[Try being the operative word. A piece of driftwood is still a piece of driftwood until it gets whittled down into something seaworthy.]
... Even if you were "behaving better," I wouldn't be able to stop myself from worrying. Because I know how that loneliness feels, and it must be all the more intense for you, with what you've gone through together. [And without the buffers of age, or communication...] So, what I'm trying to say is... if you want to talk about it, I'm offering time and an open ear.
But if not, that's okay too. The offer will be on the table no matter what.