Post by cross on Nov 8, 2016 16:10:29 GMT -6
People could become used to just about anything. She believed in the adaptability of the human body, spirit, mind, and soul... But... what he purposed...
Cross watched him carefully, examining his features and his movements. She looked at his hands, his poise, his nonverbal cues. She watched, attentive and astute with quiet, unwavering intensity.
Sometimes it was easier to not believe. Sometimes it was easier to be afraid, and to not try, and to never think for a moment about the may-bes. Failure wasn't an option if one didn't. But backing down out of trepidation or hesitation wasn't her character. And refusing to believe because it was tragic wasn't fair... to him, or anyone else like him. He didn't have a reason to lie, it was true, and if he wanted to lie why wouldn't he pick a better one to tell?
... There was nothing to lose in believing.
And the idea that he grinned to bare it - she could believe that. That was honest. Declaring something did not hurt, or bother oneself, as a means to process and move forward... She could understand that, even as her brows knit and her lips remained down-turned.
When he pulled something from the water her hawkish eyes turned over to the small, heart-shaped locket. "You found it." She said quietly, whether it be to avoid commentary on what he shared or otherwise.
"Good work." Her tone was warmer, softer, and offered a little more fondness with an overture of approval. It was subtle, but sincere as she offered a smile. Cheerfulness. She could pretend cheerfulness. She knew how, even if she rarely bothered to go to the effort of putting on a happy face or sweet gestures, if only because she questioned the sincerity of doing so.
… But he deserved that, at the very least. If he could put on a smile, so could she. And she could not imagine any reason why she should make it harder or more difficult for him to maintain the easy way he grinned and chuckled given all he had shared with her. It was the least she could do, and it seemed... better. An apology perhaps... would not be as helpful or as kind to him as a happy word, or expression, or smile, or laugh. At least... that's what she thought.
Cross watched him carefully, examining his features and his movements. She looked at his hands, his poise, his nonverbal cues. She watched, attentive and astute with quiet, unwavering intensity.
Sometimes it was easier to not believe. Sometimes it was easier to be afraid, and to not try, and to never think for a moment about the may-bes. Failure wasn't an option if one didn't. But backing down out of trepidation or hesitation wasn't her character. And refusing to believe because it was tragic wasn't fair... to him, or anyone else like him. He didn't have a reason to lie, it was true, and if he wanted to lie why wouldn't he pick a better one to tell?
... There was nothing to lose in believing.
And the idea that he grinned to bare it - she could believe that. That was honest. Declaring something did not hurt, or bother oneself, as a means to process and move forward... She could understand that, even as her brows knit and her lips remained down-turned.
When he pulled something from the water her hawkish eyes turned over to the small, heart-shaped locket. "You found it." She said quietly, whether it be to avoid commentary on what he shared or otherwise.
"Good work." Her tone was warmer, softer, and offered a little more fondness with an overture of approval. It was subtle, but sincere as she offered a smile. Cheerfulness. She could pretend cheerfulness. She knew how, even if she rarely bothered to go to the effort of putting on a happy face or sweet gestures, if only because she questioned the sincerity of doing so.
… But he deserved that, at the very least. If he could put on a smile, so could she. And she could not imagine any reason why she should make it harder or more difficult for him to maintain the easy way he grinned and chuckled given all he had shared with her. It was the least she could do, and it seemed... better. An apology perhaps... would not be as helpful or as kind to him as a happy word, or expression, or smile, or laugh. At least... that's what she thought.
