@fbiartist sent: "Hey, get over here." And she's hugging him. He's too tall and is getting dragged down for this.
BODY TENSES , shoulder jerking back ( crumbling defense , REALITY OUTWEIGHING CAUTIOUS INSTINCT ) when his body is gathered in the woman’s arms, he tenses. he’s used to this with the kids , specifically those who he earned their trust with, becoming a older brother in their eyes. always older, always the guardian, never the guarded. it’s bittersweet, melancholy being the right word, had he not known the reason. All he had been doing was talking, spilling truths that were so often so relatable they were hardly invested in with the company he gathered, the company he let stay. to be brought in like this? ( EIGHT. YOU WERE EIGHT WHEN THEY WERE TAKEN. EIGHT. THAT’S WHEN YOU WERE LAST HELD LIKE THIS BY YOUR MOMS. EIGHT. YOU HAD BEEN A LOT SHORTER THEN . . . )
he’s not sure what to do with his hands, so for a moment they just dangle at his sides. he’s not sure how long this was meant to last. so he touches the point of her elbow while his brows fix together.
❛ ❛ I’m fine. Really. ❜ ❜
his pulse knows the truth ; the lodge in his throat is a threat not to voice it.
he rubs her back some and eases his expression, offers the most casual of grins. Easy. ❛ ❛ I’m fine. ❜ ❜ ( WHY DOES YOUR VOICE ALMOST CRACK ? )
