[ Usually, Carolina crossing her arms wouldn't set off alarm bells in Maine's head. But she's not just crossing her arms: she's curling in on herself like she's injured. Hunching down like she wants to hide. Closing her eyes like she can't bear to look at him.
Maine stares for a moment, not knowing what to do. Not knowing how to help. He can't take back what he said. Can't accept her apology. Can't purge the memories from her head any more than he can rid himself of his own. He can't make things better for her. But shit, he still wants to help. He cares about her too much to stand by and do nothing.
He doesn't try to speak again. Doesn't know if he could. Doesn't know what words he'd use, anyway. Instead, he steps forward, closing the deliberate distance between them. Then, moving slowly, he reaches out to touch her shoulder where fabric will block the empathy bond. Trying to offer her some measure of comfort.
He knows that she might recoil from his touch; he's as braced for that possibility as he can be. Even so, he has to try. ]
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Maine stares for a moment, not knowing what to do. Not knowing how to help. He can't take back what he said. Can't accept her apology. Can't purge the memories from her head any more than he can rid himself of his own. He can't make things better for her. But shit, he still wants to help. He cares about her too much to stand by and do nothing.
He doesn't try to speak again. Doesn't know if he could. Doesn't know what words he'd use, anyway. Instead, he steps forward, closing the deliberate distance between them. Then, moving slowly, he reaches out to touch her shoulder where fabric will block the empathy bond. Trying to offer her some measure of comfort.
He knows that she might recoil from his touch; he's as braced for that possibility as he can be. Even so, he has to try. ]