Some people crash two or three times and then learn from their mistakes
We are the ones who don't slow down at all
We are the ones who don't slow down at all
His understanding, even if only in his silence instead of condemnation, makes tears burn along her lashes. She feels childish for being so grateful for such a relatively small mercy but can't deny it. Though she blinks them urgently away as he focuses on something entirely different than she expected - though perhaps she should have. "I know," she whispers. All too aware of the pain she'd caused him. "But it pained me, even if it didn't you. That's why..." why his daughter with Safrin had hurt so badly. But is that not exactly what had caused them to fracture apart? The weight she placed in children and the weight he did were not equal. And that is exactly why she cannot accept his congratulations - because she had wanted the twins to be theirs.
He looks away from her, and she takes that moment to be brave - or perhaps bold, too bold - and steps forward to gently lay her hand on his elbow. The safest place she can think of. Trying to force him to turn and look into her eyes, which are fierce and understanding in turn. She knows exactly the blame he is piling onto himself, felt exactly the same about Atlas' involvement in the fire and the fact that it had killed him. "No. No it wasn't." He may have no reason to believe her, but Hotaru can't stand not trying.
Though her nerve fails her immediately after, and she withdraws her hand, though not fast enough to hide the red tinge to the ends of her fingers. Smiling sardonically, she pulls at her clothes lightly. "I wasn't dressed for winter when I left. I've mostly been traveling as a cat. But it's fine - I'd rather talk to you." In a way that doesn't open the Bond. Hotaru would be willing to shoulder his emotions, but she knows the importance of feeling like you're in control of what you're sharing with others. Wants to give him that control.
He looks away from her, and she takes that moment to be brave - or perhaps bold, too bold - and steps forward to gently lay her hand on his elbow. The safest place she can think of. Trying to force him to turn and look into her eyes, which are fierce and understanding in turn. She knows exactly the blame he is piling onto himself, felt exactly the same about Atlas' involvement in the fire and the fact that it had killed him. "No. No it wasn't." He may have no reason to believe her, but Hotaru can't stand not trying.
Though her nerve fails her immediately after, and she withdraws her hand, though not fast enough to hide the red tinge to the ends of her fingers. Smiling sardonically, she pulls at her clothes lightly. "I wasn't dressed for winter when I left. I've mostly been traveling as a cat. But it's fine - I'd rather talk to you." In a way that doesn't open the Bond. Hotaru would be willing to shoulder his emotions, but she knows the importance of feeling like you're in control of what you're sharing with others. Wants to give him that control.
And there's nobody there to catch us when we fall
HOTARU
