[ He thinks that will be the end of the conversation, too. Because Patch has showed no interest in talking to him further, despite his offer to listen if she ever needed to. And Ben gets that, and respects it.
So it's a surprise when she keeps going. And that surprise becomes worry when she starts to ask something, cuts herself off, criticizes herself, and tells him to ignore the whole thing. He is for sure not going to do that now. ]
Do I what?
[ But that isn't enough, he thinks, and tries some light coaxing, mingled with encouragement. Maybe it will be easier for her like this - not in person, but with some distance and the filter of a network between them. ]
I told you you could talk to me if you needed to, about anything. I meant it. That wasn't an offer with an expiration date.
no subject
[ He thinks that will be the end of the conversation, too. Because Patch has showed no interest in talking to him further, despite his offer to listen if she ever needed to. And Ben gets that, and respects it.
So it's a surprise when she keeps going. And that surprise becomes worry when she starts to ask something, cuts herself off, criticizes herself, and tells him to ignore the whole thing. He is for sure not going to do that now. ]
Do I what?
[ But that isn't enough, he thinks, and tries some light coaxing, mingled with encouragement. Maybe it will be easier for her like this - not in person, but with some distance and the filter of a network between them. ]
I told you you could talk to me if you needed to, about anything. I meant it. That wasn't an offer with an expiration date.