[A beat; he's quiet for a second, and then he moves so instead of resting his fingertips against hers, he's holding her hand. Just long enough to give it one gentle squeeze.]
I know it feels terrible when everything is happening around you and you feel useless.
[Haha!! BOY DOES HE. There's a surge of empathy, in response to that desperation. Understanding, even if it's the aching sort that he wouldn't ever wish on anyone.]
...I won't - do that to you. I won't shut you out or leave you on your own.
[He manages a smile, though it's a little more brittle than usual. After another second or two, he'll let his grip drop. She can move to take her hand away at any time, though he'll let her go first, rather than being the first to go as usual.]
When this is all over, I'll do everything I wish I could do now.
[ She keeps her hand up for a moment, not wanting to pull away the second he does. That would be rude? And might send a much worse message than she means. ]
no subject
I know it feels terrible when everything is happening around you and you feel useless.
[Haha!! BOY DOES HE. There's a surge of empathy, in response to that desperation. Understanding, even if it's the aching sort that he wouldn't ever wish on anyone.]
...I won't - do that to you. I won't shut you out or leave you on your own.
no subject
Okay.
[ She takes a deep breath. ]
... Okay.
no subject
When this is all over, I'll do everything I wish I could do now.
no subject
Okay. I'm holding you to that.
no subject
Mm. I won't let you down.