[And now he's reassuring her even though she doesn't deserve it. Even though she should be the one spoiling him with kindness and praise, because even if he felt otherwise, she knows he was good for those around him. There was no way he wasn't. Her breathing is kept slow, but it comes out a little heavier than before as she squeezes her eyes shut and tries to concentrate on making words happen. They were hard to begin with, but this sort of thing... This was one of the reasons she'd shut down in conversations early on in life. Not often had she tried to actually fight back against the feeling, but Teo wants her to explain it better. Can she?

One hand releases its hold and moves to his back to push a finger enough that even through the jacket, he hopefully wouldn't have trouble feeling it. She carefully traces.

W A I T

She wants to phrase it another way, when her tongue and brain both loosen enough to let her. Please be patient, she miserably thinks over to him, letting her forehead fall against him again. He's there. He's listening.

After some time, it's fortunate the hotel is so eerily quiet, because it lets her pathetic voice be heard.]

You ssssaid... You -- y-you did something -- wrong. Um. ...Um.

[Boy, she hates herself. Rolling with things so far had always been pretty okay, but what if that made it seem like she didn't care? She'd have to be more careful, if she doesn't do the smart thing and keep quiet.]

But you s-said that, um. Wasted life. I don't -- think -- that's true. [Shaky exhale. Ryder wonders if she can bury herself in him fully. Let him be the grave he never got to have himself.] M-mistakes don't -- have to be bad. Um. You're nnnot. And -- and mistakes teach, s-so. Not a waste. You could -- never be. Please -- mmmake sense. Please.

[That last bit's for her.]