you had a heart, it's been gone since they left you
He didn't miss the tension in the other man, but didn't know where it came from. Loren was difficult to read, and Korbin had more or less given up trying to understand him. When the apology came, it was not what he had expected. Korbin was surprised at how much the assurance helped... at least the first bit of it. The second, the part about not trying to be his friend, left him with a vague sense of disappointment.
As if he had somehow hoped it would be important enough for the other to fight for. But apparently not.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath. In the depths of the pockets, Korbin's hands closed into fists... then relaxed as he exhaled in a slow, inaudible sigh.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "And for the harsh things I've said, and the rude way I've treated you in the past... I am sorry, too." He mulled it over for a moment, to see if he had anything else that needed saying... but in the end, the boy shrugged. It clearly didn't matter anymore.
"No, that was it," he said. "I can find someone else for the rest." It was clear that Loren was not keen to keep up this talk, and Korbin wouldn't press the man. Even if there were things he needed to know. But it wasn't urgent.
He turned away, meaning to leave and set up those work-parties. Unless Loren had anything else to say.
As if he had somehow hoped it would be important enough for the other to fight for. But apparently not.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath. In the depths of the pockets, Korbin's hands closed into fists... then relaxed as he exhaled in a slow, inaudible sigh.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "And for the harsh things I've said, and the rude way I've treated you in the past... I am sorry, too." He mulled it over for a moment, to see if he had anything else that needed saying... but in the end, the boy shrugged. It clearly didn't matter anymore.
"No, that was it," he said. "I can find someone else for the rest." It was clear that Loren was not keen to keep up this talk, and Korbin wouldn't press the man. Even if there were things he needed to know. But it wasn't urgent.
He turned away, meaning to leave and set up those work-parties. Unless Loren had anything else to say.
- ever feel you grew up too fast?
Korbin
