[ Ah. If they had a heart, it probably would've skipped a beat or two at the suddenness of his question, and of it's implications. They were definitely caught off guard, and they wish their wide eyes and slight flush wouldn't give that away. Even as he threads their fingers together, they don't hold his hand back immediately, just staring back at him with wide eyes that are equal parts stunned and pensive. ]
Then... you're a fool.
[ He is, for trying to get close to them, and for putting himself through pain just to touch them. It doesn't make any sense, and his behavior towards them in general never has. How he's always making them seem more than they are, taking risks for them that he doesn't need to; they've never understood why he'd ever go to such a length for them. But looking at the issue in the eye, it's because he cares that much, right? It's a scary thought to let themself even consider, but they can't really deny the (increasingly likely) possibility when he pulls a stunt like this.
Trying to grapple with that— hurts, in a bittersweet way. And there's nowhere to run, not like this. They look down at their joined hands, and watch themself as they make the motion to grip back gently, feeling his still slightly quickened pulse against their palm. ]
You should care.
[ They squeeze his hand deliberately, both because of the storm of emotions they're feeling, and because they have a desire to elicit some sort of negative reaction out of him from the cold to prove their point. When they meet his eyes again, their own gaze is every bit as defiant as his. ]
no subject
Then... you're a fool.
[ He is, for trying to get close to them, and for putting himself through pain just to touch them. It doesn't make any sense, and his behavior towards them in general never has. How he's always making them seem more than they are, taking risks for them that he doesn't need to; they've never understood why he'd ever go to such a length for them. But looking at the issue in the eye, it's because he cares that much, right? It's a scary thought to let themself even consider, but they can't really deny the (increasingly likely) possibility when he pulls a stunt like this.
Trying to grapple with that— hurts, in a bittersweet way. And there's nowhere to run, not like this. They look down at their joined hands, and watch themself as they make the motion to grip back gently, feeling his still slightly quickened pulse against their palm. ]
You should care.
[ They squeeze his hand deliberately, both because of the storm of emotions they're feeling, and because they have a desire to elicit some sort of negative reaction out of him from the cold to prove their point. When they meet his eyes again, their own gaze is every bit as defiant as his. ]