[ But you're the only person he wants here. Ill-suited with a muted expression and lacking the ability to grasp the nuance in others or not, he's also the only one suited for it. The only one Allen wants here, that he wouldn't bolt and run from, or quickly slap up a defensive array of Stepford smiles to keep at careful arm's length. The more help that's offered, the more carefully and politely he finds a way to decline it. That's how he's always been. That's why you're the only one who could possibly be here with him now.
Just... Allen isn't sure if he's the one who should be here.
But he lets out a shaky breath at that, at the arms circling around him, and his voice cracks in a strangled but relieved sound as he sags against Shouto. Arms circling around him in return, and he grips tight at the fabric at his sides.
I know, but I wonder if I shouldn't have let myself think it was safe to be around others so soon... ]
I'm not either. [ Not because of Nea and not... because of something else. He says it soft and low, a little hoarse with his face still hidden against his now-damp shoulder, and with a note of finality. I can't do that to you, that is something Allen knows clearly even if he's unsure about a lot. But...
...if I feel like I'm just going to hurt you again, I might have to.
But that he doesn't say aloud, and just holds on more tightly for now. ]
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Just... Allen isn't sure if he's the one who should be here.
But he lets out a shaky breath at that, at the arms circling around him, and his voice cracks in a strangled but relieved sound as he sags against Shouto. Arms circling around him in return, and he grips tight at the fabric at his sides.
I know, but I wonder if I shouldn't have let myself think it was safe to be around others so soon... ]
I'm not either. [ Not because of Nea and not... because of something else. He says it soft and low, a little hoarse with his face still hidden against his now-damp shoulder, and with a note of finality. I can't do that to you, that is something Allen knows clearly even if he's unsure about a lot. But...
...if I feel like I'm just going to hurt you again, I might have to.
But that he doesn't say aloud, and just holds on more tightly for now. ]