[ He is harder on her. Maybe in his mind, that is protective. When you believe pain is an inevitability, the only real protection is learning to push through it. To use it. To disconnect yourself from it, to stop feeling altogether is at one distant end of that spectrum, and there are things he could teach her that maybe shouldn't be taught, but when she grits her teeth and pulls herself up again his weight settles back on his heels. Approving, respectful, or just— comfortable with that response. ]
You get to survive, [ is his answer. There's your gold star. But he hesitates when she lands hard again, his face unreadable beneath the half mask and even affect. ]
Better. [ No offered hand comes to help her up this time either, but neither is she greeted with another Again. Not yet. Instead, he keeps talking. Multiple sentences, even. (Try not to faint.) ] Breathe. Don't shake; move. You have to direct it. Use it.
no subject
You get to survive, [ is his answer. There's your gold star. But he hesitates when she lands hard again, his face unreadable beneath the half mask and even affect. ]
Better. [ No offered hand comes to help her up this time either, but neither is she greeted with another Again. Not yet. Instead, he keeps talking. Multiple sentences, even. (Try not to faint.) ] Breathe. Don't shake; move. You have to direct it. Use it.