And that's why even when he concedes and offers honesty, it doesn't satisfy her. She doesn't trust him so it feels like bait, like he's throwing a bone in the opposite direction so she won't come any closer.
Even if that is not what he intends, it's how she feels.
She wishes she could go back to being a thing, a number, nothing– because she wouldn't be bothered by this, wouldn't think so deeply about this.
One hand remains on the sword still, but the other hovers near his face as she crouches lower. She lifts his chin with her fingers, wipes the cut with her thumb. Red paints his skin in a watercolor smudge; she has been this close to him before, but never has she seen him this closely, splayed out and offering himself up in the name of survival. ]
Don't bother, not when you look so scared.
[ Her gaze lingers for a moment longer before she draws her hand back and examines her stained thumb.
Zero stands, and pulls her sword from the earth. ]
I don't want your pity.
[ Because even if that's not what it is, it's what she thinks it is. ]
no subject
And that's why even when he concedes and offers honesty, it doesn't satisfy her. She doesn't trust him so it feels like bait, like he's throwing a bone in the opposite direction so she won't come any closer.
Even if that is not what he intends, it's how she feels.
She wishes she could go back to being a thing, a number, nothing– because she wouldn't be bothered by this, wouldn't think so deeply about this.
One hand remains on the sword still, but the other hovers near his face as she crouches lower. She lifts his chin with her fingers, wipes the cut with her thumb. Red paints his skin in a watercolor smudge; she has been this close to him before, but never has she seen him this closely, splayed out and offering himself up in the name of survival. ]
Don't bother, not when you look so scared.
[ Her gaze lingers for a moment longer before she draws her hand back and examines her stained thumb.
Zero stands, and pulls her sword from the earth. ]
I don't want your pity.
[ Because even if that's not what it is, it's what she thinks it is. ]