[This is all so sudden. So overwhelming. He feels like he hasn't processed the hug at all-- She hugged him, just like that, she held onto him-- and then here she is reaching out again.
He makes a choked noise, something inhuman and automatic. He stiffens again, lesson still not learned.]
Ryder... Careful...
[His voice sounds even smaller than usual. She folds his hand in hers and his heart, still as it is, aches. And then she lifts it to her lips. His breath catches. He stares, wide-eyed. He doesn't feel her lips, but he can imagine it. The part of his brain that hasn't skittered to a halt does.
And then again she's going away, but this time he reaches out for her. He catches the edge of her sleeve, gripping tight. He pulls slow, still staring as he tries to draw her in. It's only when he's got her close that his brow furrows. He bends, his head bows, and he leans until his forehead touches to her shoulder.
He just... needs to stay here... just for a moment...]
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He makes a choked noise, something inhuman and automatic. He stiffens again, lesson still not learned.]
Ryder... Careful...
[His voice sounds even smaller than usual. She folds his hand in hers and his heart, still as it is, aches. And then she lifts it to her lips. His breath catches. He stares, wide-eyed. He doesn't feel her lips, but he can imagine it. The part of his brain that hasn't skittered to a halt does.
And then again she's going away, but this time he reaches out for her. He catches the edge of her sleeve, gripping tight. He pulls slow, still staring as he tries to draw her in. It's only when he's got her close that his brow furrows. He bends, his head bows, and he leans until his forehead touches to her shoulder.
He just... needs to stay here... just for a moment...]