Thread:ThisIsXenon/@comment-32460917-20190603090203/@comment-32273133-20190628151300

“Because that’s....” That’s what you did, wasn’t it? To sympathise? To make a person feel better? The phrase was empty, meaningless in context, something to fill silence.

“That’s what people do,” Clay finished lamely. “It doesn’t really mean much, I think,” He’d never been good with loss, not having experienced it much at all. Really, it had only been his father—

More sudden, hot tears. He pulled away from Calidi and sat up, trying to hide his face.

That was still raw, even after ten years. It was stupid, he told himself, to still be upset. He’d been living without his father for more years than he’d been with him. And he still had a parent, right? He had Silverskies if he ever needed a parent. He’d always have her.

So why was he still so upset?

“I’m gonna go—“ He jabbed at the beach outside the window with one finger, then opened the window, letting the cool night air stream in. “I need a second. Call me or Delphi if you need anything. It’s nothing you did,” The tension in his face loosened a bit. “Promise. I’m not mad at you. It’s just....everything’s connected, y’know?” He shrugged helplessly. “Besides, there’s only an hour or two until the shower. I’ll be back.”

He left the room, closing the door a little too hard behind him.