[He's aware he's overstepped, and overstepped badly, but like any mistake, sometimes its harder to back out than it is to just plow ahead. He didn't know if it was what she'd said, or the tone she'd said it in, or if he was just plain guilt, finally infecting even benign conversations, making innocent words feel like accusatory violence.]
Then don't act like you can decide it for other people.
[It's snapped, but the harsh edge in his tone wavers.
Petty. He was being petty. But he couldn't get her words out of his head. 'If I had more to lose, I'm sure I'd feel the same way.' Like he didn't know what that felt like. Like he hadn't put everything and then some on the line.
Like he wasn't always putting everything on the line.
He looks at the other cuff on his wrist, the one that was inactive and dark, wrapping a hand around it. He exhales. It feels hard to breathe.]
Nevermind. Enjoy your promotion, and forget about the book.
no subject
Then don't act like you can decide it for other people.
[It's snapped, but the harsh edge in his tone wavers.
Petty. He was being petty. But he couldn't get her words out of his head. 'If I had more to lose, I'm sure I'd feel the same way.' Like he didn't know what that felt like. Like he hadn't put everything and then some on the line.
Like he wasn't always putting everything on the line.
He looks at the other cuff on his wrist, the one that was inactive and dark, wrapping a hand around it. He exhales. It feels hard to breathe.]
Nevermind. Enjoy your promotion, and forget about the book.