[It's said gently, softly, rather than a harsh reprimand like it could be. He needs to stop overthinking all this, stop twisting himself up with guilt and self-doubt.
She doesn't say anything else for a moment, because she's crossing over to him, sitting on the edge of the couch and very, very carefully resting her fingers against his jaw. She doesn't want to jostle him, just wants to make sure that he's paying attention, actually listening instead of getting too tangled up in his own thoughts.]
You're not on the wrong track. [Just saying that first, since it's important.] Friendships can be an advantage, not a disadvantage. You don't have to feel guilty for it.
[She wonders if he'll call her a hypocrite, when she's so determined about not making connections like that, but what's true for one person isn't true for another.
And it seems clear to her that he's doing a little better, with the friendships he's made here.]
no subject
[It's said gently, softly, rather than a harsh reprimand like it could be. He needs to stop overthinking all this, stop twisting himself up with guilt and self-doubt.
She doesn't say anything else for a moment, because she's crossing over to him, sitting on the edge of the couch and very, very carefully resting her fingers against his jaw. She doesn't want to jostle him, just wants to make sure that he's paying attention, actually listening instead of getting too tangled up in his own thoughts.]
You're not on the wrong track. [Just saying that first, since it's important.] Friendships can be an advantage, not a disadvantage. You don't have to feel guilty for it.
[She wonders if he'll call her a hypocrite, when she's so determined about not making connections like that, but what's true for one person isn't true for another.
And it seems clear to her that he's doing a little better, with the friendships he's made here.]