LOREN
Well, it seemed that Loren could do at least one thing right. It thawed the ice that had been creeping over him of late; while he didn’t show it, not really, there was an almost imperceptible softening around the edges. ”You’re welcome.” However, it was a bit sad. All he’d done was offer a bit of bread and jam, not even a real meal. Yet Peter seemed to think this was something special as opposed to the bare minimum. Far be it for the summoner to stop someone from finding joy where they could, though. ”I’m glad you like it.”
By this time, the tea had steeped and cooled enough to be safe to drink. Fishing out the satchel, he tossed it in the compost bucket, then curled his fingers around the mug. To cover the frown that threatened to form—even he could tell the other man wouldn’t react well if Loren frowned—the summoner took a sip. It was still a bit too hot, but at least he didn’t burn himself. ”You didn’t do bad though.” At least, not that Loren could see. ”Do you bite through your lip often?” Which would now also tell him if Peter thought he did bad often, the summoner supposed. And if that was the case, he'd probably have to do something about it.
As the other man tried to explain how he felt, and then started moving, Loren took another sip, then set his mug down. The hand on his arm was surprising, but he didn’t flinch away from it like he once might have, though he eyes flicked to it before his gaze found its way back to Peter’s face. ”Well.” Although the summoner’s voice still lacked most of its inflection, he was very carefully choosing his words. {day}”You’ve already taken the first step, by being here.” His hand, the one on the opposite side of his body, came up to cover the one Peter had rested on Loren’s arm. ”You know, I heard someone say once that it really doesn’t matter how big that first step you take is. All that matters is that it’s in the right direction.” And this was certain progress, even if it didn’t feel like enough to Peter.
By this time, the tea had steeped and cooled enough to be safe to drink. Fishing out the satchel, he tossed it in the compost bucket, then curled his fingers around the mug. To cover the frown that threatened to form—even he could tell the other man wouldn’t react well if Loren frowned—the summoner took a sip. It was still a bit too hot, but at least he didn’t burn himself. ”You didn’t do bad though.” At least, not that Loren could see. ”Do you bite through your lip often?” Which would now also tell him if Peter thought he did bad often, the summoner supposed. And if that was the case, he'd probably have to do something about it.
As the other man tried to explain how he felt, and then started moving, Loren took another sip, then set his mug down. The hand on his arm was surprising, but he didn’t flinch away from it like he once might have, though he eyes flicked to it before his gaze found its way back to Peter’s face. ”Well.” Although the summoner’s voice still lacked most of its inflection, he was very carefully choosing his words. {day}”You’ve already taken the first step, by being here.” His hand, the one on the opposite side of his body, came up to cover the one Peter had rested on Loren’s arm. ”You know, I heard someone say once that it really doesn’t matter how big that first step you take is. All that matters is that it’s in the right direction.” And this was certain progress, even if it didn’t feel like enough to Peter.
But don’t be weary if it’s broken
Families are like that—
they’re split up and always torn.
