[He begins to relax, when she hums, and when he finally pulls back
from the embrace, his ears are no longer drooping. He holds onto her arms
by the shoulders, squeezing slightly.]
I'm sorry. I'm going to do better, Ellana. I will. I'll stop disappointing
you all.
[ It's something she wants to believe; it really is. But all the evidence has pointed to Gavin's promises not lasting, and Ellana isn't as naive as everyone seems to think. She's no longer taken in by pretty words that amount to nothing in the end. She knows Gavin isn't lying to her and he truly will try, but she doesn't think he'll succeed.
And yet Ellana isn't going to make mention of that. She can't upset him when he's trying. So she smiles, nods, and gives his own shoulder a squeeze. ]
Thank you, Gavin. You know I just worry, don't you? I want you to be safe and happy.
[He didn't, not really. Or at least, he didn't entirely believe it.
Even from Ellana. Safe and Happy for everyone else seemed to mean something
different for him, but that was hardly new.]
I'm sorry for taking it out on you. You didn't do anything to deserve it, I
promise.
[ Her gaze lowers, ashamed of herself. But she'd been so worried, so frustrated, and there he was serving his punishment, not even thinking of how she might feel. Not coming to find her and show her he was all right. She'd lashed out at him out of pure emotion. ]
[ She pulls back and smiles at him. Their relationship is so strange. So alike in some ways, like they could finish each other's sentences, and so different in others, like they're a stranger to the other. ]
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[He begins to relax, when she hums, and when he finally pulls back from the embrace, his ears are no longer drooping. He holds onto her arms by the shoulders, squeezing slightly.]
I'm sorry. I'm going to do better, Ellana. I will. I'll stop disappointing you all.
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And yet Ellana isn't going to make mention of that. She can't upset him when he's trying. So she smiles, nods, and gives his own shoulder a squeeze. ]
Thank you, Gavin. You know I just worry, don't you? I want you to be safe and happy.
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I know.
[He didn't, not really. Or at least, he didn't entirely believe it. Even from Ellana. Safe and Happy for everyone else seemed to mean something different for him, but that was hardly new.]
I'm sorry for taking it out on you. You didn't do anything to deserve it, I promise.
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[ Her gaze lowers, ashamed of herself. But she'd been so worried, so frustrated, and there he was serving his punishment, not even thinking of how she might feel. Not coming to find her and show her he was all right. She'd lashed out at him out of pure emotion. ]
You didn't deserve that either.
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It's alright.
[He gives her a small smile - pulling up one side of his face but not the other. It was alright, because he was used to it.
It was alright, because Merrick did far worse.]
I have to get back to latrine duty, but I'll... I'll catch up with you later.
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[ She pulls back and smiles at him. Their relationship is so strange. So alike in some ways, like they could finish each other's sentences, and so different in others, like they're a stranger to the other. ]
Ma serannas. For the apple.
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Pretty sure you don't have to thank me for an apology gift, but - you're welcome, Ellana.
[And then without another word, he stole away.]