[ The words are the same, but the tone is like night and day. It doesn't take much effort for Maine to figure out what she sounds so sympathetic about. Not when those feelings have been welling up like blood from a wound every time he drops his guard.
She doesn't retreat from him, though. Actually steps forward. And Maine can count the number of people brave enough to do that on a single hand.
He blinks, thrown by both her bravery and her sympathy. Finds himself fumbling for a response. Ends up shrugging a shoulder, looking more awkward than angry. Because shit, it's not like either of them wanted to feel each other's feelings.
Fuck this whole empathy thing. ]
Not your fault.
[ His voice is deep and rough and honestly pretty growly, but he doesn't sound mad. It's not her fault they touched. Not her fault that he's feeling the way he is.
Then, after a moments pause spent sizing her up: ]
New here?
[ A reasonable guess, he thinks, given the feelings of longing and being lost. ]
no subject
She doesn't retreat from him, though. Actually steps forward. And Maine can count the number of people brave enough to do that on a single hand.
He blinks, thrown by both her bravery and her sympathy. Finds himself fumbling for a response. Ends up shrugging a shoulder, looking more awkward than angry. Because shit, it's not like either of them wanted to feel each other's feelings.
Fuck this whole empathy thing. ]
Not your fault.
[ His voice is deep and rough and honestly pretty growly, but he doesn't sound mad. It's not her fault they touched. Not her fault that he's feeling the way he is.
Then, after a moments pause spent sizing her up: ]
New here?
[ A reasonable guess, he thinks, given the feelings of longing and being lost. ]