[private] the water is deeper than anything you've ever seen

[Nemeon]

Nemeon tenses when she steps towards him but the pressure in his head becomes less a fear of what she will do to him and more what he will do to her if she gets too close. He thinks there is still plenty of space, but that worry for her he had been fighting against rises up and takes over any attempt at shielding himself.

He doesn’t step back. Maybe he should but he is lonely, this youth that only knows darkness and stone. And even if he had felt his heart shatter a little at the end of their first meeting, he remembers the laughter too. Remembers the light.

So the wariness that remains in his expression when she takes that step is half because of that hurt and half because he is watching for signs that his very presence is making her sick, and not just emotionally.

It shouldn’t, but wouldn’t that be just his luck if it did now.

Nemeon watches and listens to her explanation and he feels some of it settle through the guard he has up. Didn’t he feel plagued by his own lack of control? Only he did not think that there was a way to practice not being radioactive or not turning into stone. He is jealous that she is capable of growing, of being better, and he feels some of the pain loosen its tight hold on his heart.

“I guess that makes sense.” He doesn't say he forgives her, doesn't know if he really has yet, but he doesn't want to leave and doesn't want her to go either - so maybe that is what forgiveness he's capable of. Curiosity follows, and a little more light eats away at his sullen expression. “Can your family all do it too?”

NEMEON

@anaise