[Hawke had only meant to be lightly teasing because Eddie had seemed so ridiculously nervous about things that didn't seem very important, to her anyway. Once you get a few life threatening injuries, allergies don't really seem all that scary. But she catches sight of Eddie's face and can tell there's something more going on underneath.
Don't they all have something more going on underneath they wish no one else would see? For a few seconds, she's frozen. Her instinct is to make a joke because this entire thing is ridiculous, right? And if Eddie was upset she'd just bother him until he got over it. Because that seemed easier than forcing any sort of deep conversation.
But against her own natural desire to pull away, she reaches out and gently puts a hand on his shoulder as if to steady him in his determination so he doesn't crumble to self doubt. Her father used to do that to her and somehow there was so much in such a light touch.
And when Eddie raises his head and smiles at her, she grins back and reaches up to ruffle his hair.]
Nope, you're tragically average. Aaaand- [She moves her hand to protect his mouth from Kitty who is trying to be comforting by licking Eddie's face but being a dog, he's not very precise about it hence dog germs are a serious danger.] And let's keep it that way.
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Don't they all have something more going on underneath they wish no one else would see? For a few seconds, she's frozen. Her instinct is to make a joke because this entire thing is ridiculous, right? And if Eddie was upset she'd just bother him until he got over it. Because that seemed easier than forcing any sort of deep conversation.
But against her own natural desire to pull away, she reaches out and gently puts a hand on his shoulder as if to steady him in his determination so he doesn't crumble to self doubt. Her father used to do that to her and somehow there was so much in such a light touch.
And when Eddie raises his head and smiles at her, she grins back and reaches up to ruffle his hair.]
Nope, you're tragically average. Aaaand- [She moves her hand to protect his mouth from Kitty who is trying to be comforting by licking Eddie's face but being a dog, he's not very precise about it hence dog germs are a serious danger.] And let's keep it that way.