[ as soon as he feels the nudge, his shields slam down, and he recoils, an actual physical flinch back. for a moment, he stares at her, eyes wide and breath coming harshly-- but then he slowly forces his shoulders to relax and his heart to stop hammering. ]
Uh. Sorry. Just-- I don't, uh, really like strangers in my head. [ he's spent so, so long being violated by farouk, thinking he was crazy, being told he was crazy, having others get inside his mind-- he doesn't want that anymore. and more than that, it's a reflexive, slightly terrified reaction. sometimes he can be strong. sometimes he can't be.
he clears his throat, but despite physically relaxing, his mind is still a bristling, defensive fortress. he's willing to give her a chance, of course, but he's not taking any risks right now. ]
TAB, right. Uh-- here. [ he offers it out, small, brittle smile apologetic and a little self-conscious. ] .. Thanks.
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Uh. Sorry. Just-- I don't, uh, really like strangers in my head. [ he's spent so, so long being violated by farouk, thinking he was crazy, being told he was crazy, having others get inside his mind-- he doesn't want that anymore. and more than that, it's a reflexive, slightly terrified reaction. sometimes he can be strong. sometimes he can't be.
he clears his throat, but despite physically relaxing, his mind is still a bristling, defensive fortress. he's willing to give her a chance, of course, but he's not taking any risks right now. ]
TAB, right. Uh-- here. [ he offers it out, small, brittle smile apologetic and a little self-conscious. ] .. Thanks.