[The hug is a relief. The question less so, and for a second all she does is hide her face against his shoulder.
She's pretty sure he knows; he has to, otherwise he wouldn't sound like that when he asked, so why is he asking? For a moment she wonders if he wants the satisfaction of hearing it, but it's such an awful thought that she winces and holds him tighter. It's not to think like that, when she knows how hard he's trying to be a good person.]
Don't.
[Because he sounds scared, because saying it out loud can only make things worse, because she's not sure she can admit it without breaking down all over again, and she's so sick of crying.]
no subject
She's pretty sure he knows; he has to, otherwise he wouldn't sound like that when he asked, so why is he asking? For a moment she wonders if he wants the satisfaction of hearing it, but it's such an awful thought that she winces and holds him tighter. It's not to think like that, when she knows how hard he's trying to be a good person.]
Don't.
[Because he sounds scared, because saying it out loud can only make things worse, because she's not sure she can admit it without breaking down all over again, and she's so sick of crying.]