Love mends even the broken parts
Frowning, Loren gave Phoebe a pointed look. ”When have things ever looked up in Caido?” He crossed his arms. ”Even if the rest of the world was calmer, my family is back, and as much as I or others might want to leave things be, I doubt it’ll be that simple.” Then he tilted his head at her. ”It does matter. But…” His voice trailed off and he bit his lip. ”I’m confused why you think the only way to make things better is for me to be with you? I’m assuming you mean romantically.” His words came out hesitantly, given that he truly was unclear on the logic here.
Shaking his head, he sighed. ”We do. Or maybe I’m just bad at caring or thinking about others. But, again, it’s impossible to care when you don’t something is happening.” Dropping his hands, he shrugged. ”You’re right, I didn’t see what you did. Still don’t.” He held up a hand to forestall her response. ”That’s because I don’t think I’d be very good for you, and I don’t view you in that way, which is on me, not on you.”
Shrugging again, he crossed his arms once more. ”Or maybe I care more about what others want than what I do.” He remained silent for a long while before continuing, his voice soft. ”And I have to consider it when the things I want either hurt people, or when the things I want are things like peace and quiet, which is something I seriously doubt I will ever have.” He glanced away, staring at the ground.
However, he looked back at her teasing comment. ”I sure am.” At least this time his tone had the ghost of cheerfulness in it. ”I’m not so sure about that. The taking care of myself thing. And not everyone is capable of what you are.” It came out simply and matter of factly.
Shaking his head, he sighed. ”We do. Or maybe I’m just bad at caring or thinking about others. But, again, it’s impossible to care when you don’t something is happening.” Dropping his hands, he shrugged. ”You’re right, I didn’t see what you did. Still don’t.” He held up a hand to forestall her response. ”That’s because I don’t think I’d be very good for you, and I don’t view you in that way, which is on me, not on you.”
Shrugging again, he crossed his arms once more. ”Or maybe I care more about what others want than what I do.” He remained silent for a long while before continuing, his voice soft. ”And I have to consider it when the things I want either hurt people, or when the things I want are things like peace and quiet, which is something I seriously doubt I will ever have.” He glanced away, staring at the ground.
However, he looked back at her teasing comment. ”I sure am.” At least this time his tone had the ghost of cheerfulness in it. ”I’m not so sure about that. The taking care of myself thing. And not everyone is capable of what you are.” It came out simply and matter of factly.
loren
