[Dave has to swallow before he can reply. He made the offer sincerely, and he wouldn't take it back; it was obviously the right thing to do, just listen to her, she needed this like he needed--like he needs--like, anyway, this isn't about him.
It's still hard to sit there and hear all of it. Not even because of the words, really, because he still only half-understands some parts (and maybe doesn't want to understand, fully, until he's got some time to think it over); but listening to Ashley push the words out, hearing the real, raw feeling in there, everything for her friend, all the betrayal and love--]
I wish I could be there and hug you right the fuck now, Ashley.
[He keeps from hugging himself, barely, by balling his hands on his knees and biting his tongue.]
I wish...do you even know, how, how...I wish those were words I could've said, too. I wish you could've said them to Josh when he was here, you both need--
[His voice threatens to break and he cuts himself off and shakes his head, raking his hair back again, looking off to the side until he masters himself.]
Did...is that working at all, do you feel... [Dave, fucklord, she's crying.] I mean, take your time.
[Dave's voice evokes a horrible hiccup and she covers just clutches her face with one hand. Yeah, she would say if she could. I would really like a damn hug right now.
It seems at least Arwen gets that memo, because her feelers wrap around her whole torso. She's so despondent that it doesn't take away the feeling, but it leaves something warm in her stomach. What a glorious contradiction. What a perfect conflicting state of being for this conversation.
She wishes she could offer him something, something... Anything. 'Cause of course, this is hard for him, the associations, the- everything, his brother-- but no, she's a little busy with herself right now. What she can do, however, what she can accomplish is
A little nod.] I-it- it h-hurts but--
[That's really all she can get out, through her tears and through her shallow breathing. Ah, Arwen's feelers, they're holding tighter to try and assist with that. Hyperventilating would be pretty bad, so. Let's try and stop that, please.]
[He gets it. He manages a wavering little smile, because it's good, that but. Dave Strider, he understands a good hurt. The kind of hurt that heals.]
Maybe more like yanking out a loose tooth than a kick in the gut, huh?
[The smile fades, but into thoughtfulness this time. He laces his fingers together, rubs the pad of his thumb against the side of the other hand, then says,]
[The smile comes back. It's more at the corners of his eyes than in his mouth, but his stupid shades are in the way; it's a thing almost felt more than seen.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Video]
It's still hard to sit there and hear all of it. Not even because of the words, really, because he still only half-understands some parts (and maybe doesn't want to understand, fully, until he's got some time to think it over); but listening to Ashley push the words out, hearing the real, raw feeling in there, everything for her friend, all the betrayal and love--]
I wish I could be there and hug you right the fuck now, Ashley.
[He keeps from hugging himself, barely, by balling his hands on his knees and biting his tongue.]
I wish...do you even know, how, how...I wish those were words I could've said, too. I wish you could've said them to Josh when he was here, you both need--
[His voice threatens to break and he cuts himself off and shakes his head, raking his hair back again, looking off to the side until he masters himself.]
Did...is that working at all, do you feel... [Dave, fucklord, she's crying.] I mean, take your time.
[Video]
It seems at least Arwen gets that memo, because her feelers wrap around her whole torso. She's so despondent that it doesn't take away the feeling, but it leaves something warm in her stomach. What a glorious contradiction. What a perfect conflicting state of being for this conversation.
She wishes she could offer him something, something... Anything. 'Cause of course, this is hard for him, the associations, the- everything, his brother-- but no, she's a little busy with herself right now. What she can do, however, what she can accomplish is
A little nod.] I-it- it h-hurts but--
[That's really all she can get out, through her tears and through her shallow breathing. Ah, Arwen's feelers, they're holding tighter to try and assist with that. Hyperventilating would be pretty bad, so. Let's try and stop that, please.]
[Video]
Maybe more like yanking out a loose tooth than a kick in the gut, huh?
[The smile fades, but into thoughtfulness this time. He laces his fingers together, rubs the pad of his thumb against the side of the other hand, then says,]
Will you say it to him? If you see him again.
['I think you should.'
He keeps that part to himself.]
[Video]
Doesn't react to that, for a short time. Other than crying, focusing on Arwen.
Her mouth opens, jaw trembles, and.]
Y- yeah. I-I-- yeah. I think I will.
[Video]
Cool.
[He mimes a little fist bump towards the screen.]
Proud of you, girl.
[Video]
Th- thanks. I...
Thank y-you for...listening.