[Though once again it's more for affect - and perhaps a delaying tactic - rather than an expression of pain because the words that follow her harsh prodding aren't really words he wants to hear. He doesn't know how to make that promise, because he wants to give away that much of himself again and again and again, it's the only way he knows how to be. Even if there's the small niggling reminder in him of what he's already begun to realise, to some small degree-- that what he thinks people want from him or want him to do isn't always what he gives them.
Rarely is.
And there's Pepi winding around his legs and he'll take this as his attempt to subvert the conversation.]
Pepi, what is it, do you want some attention?
[And he's leaning down to stroke the little cat then, to literally duck out of having to give an answer.]
no subject
[Though once again it's more for affect - and perhaps a delaying tactic - rather than an expression of pain because the words that follow her harsh prodding aren't really words he wants to hear. He doesn't know how to make that promise, because he wants to give away that much of himself again and again and again, it's the only way he knows how to be. Even if there's the small niggling reminder in him of what he's already begun to realise, to some small degree-- that what he thinks people want from him or want him to do isn't always what he gives them.
Rarely is.
And there's Pepi winding around his legs and he'll take this as his attempt to subvert the conversation.]
Pepi, what is it, do you want some attention?
[And he's leaning down to stroke the little cat then, to literally duck out of having to give an answer.]