“most people seem uncomfortable with silence. i never minded it much.”
she tilts her head, considering him, and there’s something almost soft in the way she holds his gaze. armand has never made her feel like she needs to explain herself ⸺ not in the way that most people do, not in the way that makes her feel like she’s performing for their approval. not in the way most, undead or alive, could not say they have experienced themselves.
“i think people aren’t uncomfortable with silence,” she responds, her voice carries that particular flatness that isn’t disinterest but thoughtfulness, most of her attention still caught in the back of her mind as she processes the thought rather than dedicated to the performance of how the thought is said out loud. “i think they’re uncomfortable with people. silence just forces them to sit with that reality for a moment.”
she’s curled into the corner of a worn leather armchair, knees tucked beneath her in a way that suggests she’s been there for a while, settled into the space like she belongs there. it’s a rare thing, this ease. bella swan doesn’t take it for granted. “or maybe that’s just me projecting,” she adds quickly after, there’s a flicker of dry humor in the words. “hard to tell sometimes.”
her gaze drifts to the window, to the way the street light begin to filter through the glass in as the sun begins to set in the horizon, soft and golden and temporary. she’s always been good at noticing the temporary things, perhaps that’s why she’s so drawn to the people who aren’t. she lets the silence breathe for a moment, lets it become comfortable rather than awkward, before she speaks again.
“silence can be nice too,” her voice is quieter now, almost surprised by her own honesty. “not having to fill the space. not feeling like you have to perform just to be tolerated. if you can sit in silence with someone, that is a good sign i think.” she shifts slightly, crossing her legs trying to find a more comfortable position. a gesture that feels natural rather than guarded. she’s not used to feeling this at ease with anyone, immortal or otherwise, but it is difficult not to feel disarmed by empathy when looking at someone whose experiences mirror her own so very closely. with armand, bella feels she doesn’t have to be anyone other than what she is. broken edges and all.
“i think that’s why i like talking to you. or not talking, your silence is cool too.”
⋆ ˚ ࿔ ✧ ˖ ° . @desiresuffering / prompt.