_{‘    okay,  you know what ?  that’s it.  i have been walking on eggshells with you for  WEEKS  now,  just hoping that  MAYBE  you’d come around  &  actually  tell me  what’s wrong instead of  —  instead of shutting me out,  &  i am  done.  what the  hell  is going on with you,  lucifer ?  i mean,  what could possibly be so terrible that you can’t even  TALK  to me ??    ’}

_{her voice raises without breaking into a full - blown shout,  but there’s an edge of desperation to it that makes her physically cringe.  she’s frustrated ;  even more than that,  she’s  WORRIED.  &  worry manifests into something that feels a lot like fear,  because it dries her throat  &  leaves a leaden pit in her stomach every time she looks at him.  i will never lie to you.  he told her that months ago.  lying by omission isn’t better.} 

_{it’s almost  worse.}

_{‘    i’m sorry,  i’m  –––––––    ’      a long,  leveled breath is drawn in  &  released.  tone softens,  quietly distills as concern settles itself into the crease between furrowed brows.  three tentative steps close the literal distance between them while doing  nothing  to span the metaphorical.      ‘    i just mean  —  you can trust me.  i shouldn’t have to tell you that.  &  this  —  whatever this is  —  i want to help.    ’}

_{the rest is unsaid,  writ in steady eye contact :}

_{i’m not going anywhere.}

_{two word starters.  // accepting !}