[He doesn't let her go without his hand for long--he gently takes a hold of her hand after she splays it on her stomach, pulling it away from her and balling up his own to nest it against her palm. Don't focus on that. Just focus on me.
Trying to make her feel better? Honestly, it wasn't even a consideration. She asked about life in the Country, and he obliged; he would have done the same if it had turned out to be a miserable place, too.]
I'm not.
[He nuzzles her again, but this time he cranes his neck to get to the side of her face. The use of his name makes the air feel sharp and uncomfortable, and he's starting to regret having told her about everything.]
It's okay, Red. What's the last you remember? Before coming here.
cherishes it
Trying to make her feel better? Honestly, it wasn't even a consideration. She asked about life in the Country, and he obliged; he would have done the same if it had turned out to be a miserable place, too.]
I'm not.
[He nuzzles her again, but this time he cranes his neck to get to the side of her face. The use of his name makes the air feel sharp and uncomfortable, and he's starting to regret having told her about everything.]
It's okay, Red. What's the last you remember? Before coming here.