[The vehemence of it, the suddenness-- it surprises him. Takes him so off-guard that he stumbles back a step, almost trips over his own long legs and narrowly avoids falling down the stairs. He catches himself before that happens though, is left standing wide-eyed and wretched as her eyes gleam with tears and the words sink into his bones like blades.
It hurts him to hear it, it does, a pain the blooms large behind the ribs and spreads out from the centre of him, made worse by the fact that she is right. He's sorry he hurt her, a kind of sorry that's big and genuine but somehow not enough because yes he would do it again. Even now, after hearing this, were he to return to the gallows tomorrow without the knowledge he needed he wouldn't lift so much as a finger to prevent them from hanging him.
And then her final words, like a bullet through the heart, and it does pain him to hear it, she's quite right about that.
And this, this, is why no one should ever get close to him. Because he'll hurt them callously, ruthlessly, without even meaning to do it. Without even giving it consideration.
He wants to say it again, to change the words around, to say he's sorry he hurt her with his recklessness but that the end results were necessary. Wants to sweep her up in his arms and attempt to comfort her, but ultimately he keeps quiet, thinks better of it. Suspects if he does she may hit him. Would be within her rights to. Instead, he says nothing at all for several long and painful moments.
When he finally does respond, it's somewhat weakly.]
Well, um. That won't happen, will it. No doubt you'll outlive me by a long shot.
[You know, what with all the reckless stupidity. It's probably not a helpful statement.]
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It hurts him to hear it, it does, a pain the blooms large behind the ribs and spreads out from the centre of him, made worse by the fact that she is right. He's sorry he hurt her, a kind of sorry that's big and genuine but somehow not enough because yes he would do it again. Even now, after hearing this, were he to return to the gallows tomorrow without the knowledge he needed he wouldn't lift so much as a finger to prevent them from hanging him.
And then her final words, like a bullet through the heart, and it does pain him to hear it, she's quite right about that.
And this, this, is why no one should ever get close to him. Because he'll hurt them callously, ruthlessly, without even meaning to do it. Without even giving it consideration.
He wants to say it again, to change the words around, to say he's sorry he hurt her with his recklessness but that the end results were necessary. Wants to sweep her up in his arms and attempt to comfort her, but ultimately he keeps quiet, thinks better of it. Suspects if he does she may hit him. Would be within her rights to. Instead, he says nothing at all for several long and painful moments.
When he finally does respond, it's somewhat weakly.]
Well, um. That won't happen, will it. No doubt you'll outlive me by a long shot.
[You know, what with all the reckless stupidity. It's probably not a helpful statement.]