[It's like unraveling a tight spring, how the trickling of words from Temenos's lips soothe him. To see him, to feel compassion, to feel pride, to be curious and crave something more...
It visibly chokes him up, though it doesn't make it past a glassy look in the eyes and a tightness in his throat that he tries to clear away.
The grip against his hand is squeezed in return, a lifeline between them.]
Thank you. [It's a little shaky, but he exhales, trying again.] I'm... not good with words like you are. But I knew I liked being around you. I liked how I felt when you'd stand up for me. When you would encourage me. I wanted you to feel safe with me. I wanted to learn more about you.
[A gravitation of curiosity at first, one that had become far more comfortable when Temenos has spoken so openly about his doubts and cynicism, when they'd had time to feel they could have an understanding despite their opposing alliances.]
When we were at the spa... I didn't understand what I felt when I looked at you and watched you. I wanted to know. But I was scared. When I want something... it feels like I'm starving. And when I'm starving, I lose myself.
But when I woke up, after everything... [A swallow, hard, as he pulls Temenos's hand towards his chest.] When I didn't know what had happened to you, or what I might have done, or what Lobelia might have done to you...
...
[It's an emotional silence, as he takes a second to collect himself. But the grip against Temenos's hand stays firm. He's here.]
...I knew, when I saw you on the beach, that I loved you. That that was why I was afraid. Because I've felt that before.
Lilith never came back. [The first time he's spoken of her, to him.] You did. And I... feel like I've dodged another arrow when I see you. I don't want to see another one come and take it away.
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It visibly chokes him up, though it doesn't make it past a glassy look in the eyes and a tightness in his throat that he tries to clear away.
The grip against his hand is squeezed in return, a lifeline between them.]
Thank you. [It's a little shaky, but he exhales, trying again.] I'm... not good with words like you are. But I knew I liked being around you. I liked how I felt when you'd stand up for me. When you would encourage me. I wanted you to feel safe with me. I wanted to learn more about you.
[A gravitation of curiosity at first, one that had become far more comfortable when Temenos has spoken so openly about his doubts and cynicism, when they'd had time to feel they could have an understanding despite their opposing alliances.]
When we were at the spa... I didn't understand what I felt when I looked at you and watched you. I wanted to know. But I was scared. When I want something... it feels like I'm starving. And when I'm starving, I lose myself.
But when I woke up, after everything... [A swallow, hard, as he pulls Temenos's hand towards his chest.]
When I didn't know what had happened to you, or what I might have done, or what Lobelia might have done to you...
...
[It's an emotional silence, as he takes a second to collect himself. But the grip against Temenos's hand stays firm. He's here.]
...I knew, when I saw you on the beach, that I loved you. That that was why I was afraid. Because I've felt that before.
Lilith never came back. [The first time he's spoken of her, to him.] You did. And I... feel like I've dodged another arrow when I see you. I don't want to see another one come and take it away.