NOAH
Noah felt her walls go up.
Not fully, but enough that the edge of her fear dulled, folding inward like a blade she refused to leave bare. ”It doesn’t feel okay,” he said gently, not contradicting her so much as naming what was already there. His voice stayed low, steady, as if volume alone might break her. ”And that’s allowed.” He couldn;T help the paternal tone to his voice.
He shifted closer, close enough that their shoulders nearly brushed, boots planted firm in the churned earth. Noah rested his forearms on his knees, posture open, unthreatening. He had learned, over years of storms and aftermaths, that presence mattered more than pressure. He inhaled, the Greatwood damp and breathing around them. ”but, if okay is what gets you to your feet right now, I’ll take it. But later—when you’re ready—I want the truth.”
He paused, ”I’ll still be here for that too.”
Not fully, but enough that the edge of her fear dulled, folding inward like a blade she refused to leave bare. ”It doesn’t feel okay,” he said gently, not contradicting her so much as naming what was already there. His voice stayed low, steady, as if volume alone might break her. ”And that’s allowed.” He couldn;T help the paternal tone to his voice.
He shifted closer, close enough that their shoulders nearly brushed, boots planted firm in the churned earth. Noah rested his forearms on his knees, posture open, unthreatening. He had learned, over years of storms and aftermaths, that presence mattered more than pressure. He inhaled, the Greatwood damp and breathing around them. ”but, if okay is what gets you to your feet right now, I’ll take it. But later—when you’re ready—I want the truth.”
He paused, ”I’ll still be here for that too.”
I wait and tell myself "life ain't chess,"
But no one comes in and yes, you're alone
But no one comes in and yes, you're alone
