[That answer is quick and decisive and honest, at least, and gets him to sit up and look at her.]
But I want... to protect you. And I-
[She looks so small and scared. He wants to reach out to her, to hold her. He wants to say never mind and just take his shoes off and get into bed, to hold her, unsleeping, while she dreams, and shush her back to sleep when the nightmares come.
But he remembers Johanna's face, dressed as a dirty street urchin with her hair up under a hat but Johanna nonetheless, and how could he not have recognized his own flesh and blood, his own eyes staring wide and scared back at him? Her voice screaming, begging as he shoved her into the chair and put a razor to her throat-
How about a shave, boy?
He looks away from Farrah, and back down at his hands, sucking in a sharp breath and holding it, to avoid letting out a sob.]
I'm an evil man, Farrah. I don't...want you to get hurt. By being around me.
no subject
[That answer is quick and decisive and honest, at least, and gets him to sit up and look at her.]
But I want... to protect you. And I-
[She looks so small and scared. He wants to reach out to her, to hold her. He wants to say never mind and just take his shoes off and get into bed, to hold her, unsleeping, while she dreams, and shush her back to sleep when the nightmares come.
But he remembers Johanna's face, dressed as a dirty street urchin with her hair up under a hat but Johanna nonetheless, and how could he not have recognized his own flesh and blood, his own eyes staring wide and scared back at him? Her voice screaming, begging as he shoved her into the chair and put a razor to her throat-
How about a shave, boy?
He looks away from Farrah, and back down at his hands, sucking in a sharp breath and holding it, to avoid letting out a sob.]
I'm an evil man, Farrah. I don't...want you to get hurt. By being around me.