[ The Ring-Spirit tightly grips onto the hand now intertwined with his; but he relaxes significantly as he listens, even as his expression turns into very apologetic understanding.
He has to think about his response, resisting his first instinct to reply with "that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me! ♥️" because, while true, kind of. beside the point right now. His words come slowly, it being difficult to focus on what isn't beside the point. ]
...I know. I know what I'm asking, I know it's... I didn't phrase it in a way that's really possible, did I?
[ A bitter self-recriminating smile. ]
I didn't think I could be hurt, not in any way that mattered - I. [ oh, now the admission sticks in his throat, but he chokes the words out anyway ] ...was wrong. I know. And... I'm. ...sssorry...
[ The Ring-Spirit's expression twists into a grimace. ]
...And. ...I. know how it hurts when Ryou doesn't look after himself. ...I'll be more careful, now. I won't hurt you again.
[ Is that a promise he can actually deliver on? Highly unlikely! But in the moment, he genuinely means it. He's just not thinking ahead, at all, as usual,,
His free hand moves to the one Atem has on his shoulder, and holds it reassuringly. He forces his intertwined hand to loosen its grip into something less desperate and more comforting. He knows he fucked up, he knows he's asking for something infuriating on top of that! He's truly sorry. ]
1/2
He has to think about his response, resisting his first instinct to reply with "that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me! ♥️" because, while true, kind of. beside the point right now. His words come slowly, it being difficult to focus on what isn't beside the point. ]
...I know. I know what I'm asking, I know it's... I didn't phrase it in a way that's really possible, did I?
[ A bitter self-recriminating smile. ]
I didn't think I could be hurt, not in any way that mattered - I. [ oh, now the admission sticks in his throat, but he chokes the words out anyway ] ...was wrong. I know. And... I'm. ...sssorry...
[ The Ring-Spirit's expression twists into a grimace. ]
...And. ...I. know how it hurts when Ryou doesn't look after himself. ...I'll be more careful, now. I won't hurt you again.
[ Is that a promise he can actually deliver on? Highly unlikely! But in the moment, he genuinely means it. He's just not thinking ahead, at all, as usual,,
His free hand moves to the one Atem has on his shoulder, and holds it reassuringly. He forces his intertwined hand to loosen its grip into something less desperate and more comforting. He knows he fucked up, he knows he's asking for something infuriating on top of that! He's truly sorry. ]