( And his gaze drops. Because that was the solution, wasn't it? Not to let something more powerful use him, but to disappear. To be gone. Because that would save Max from Asteria. If he'd never been, that would have kept Max away from her completely, maybe. If he disappeared then it seems like so many things would be better.
But Ella is still talking, she has her own problems, and Atlas should be better than this. Atlas should help. He takes a step towards her, before he realizes what's coming, and it feels like somehow stepping into the words just made the force of them worse, that other name leaving a resounding sting across his chest, throat, like it stripped his skin raw.
No wonder you remind me of Donny. Atlas reminds her of Donny? Atlas reminds her of the-- the stupid coward? Atlas reminded her of that?
He has to cover it, moves closer by another step, cautiously laying a hand on her shoulder. What does he even do? There's no way for him to protect her from the things in her world. )
I'm sorry. ( But it's useless. It doesn't change anything. )
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But Ella is still talking, she has her own problems, and Atlas should be better than this. Atlas should help. He takes a step towards her, before he realizes what's coming, and it feels like somehow stepping into the words just made the force of them worse, that other name leaving a resounding sting across his chest, throat, like it stripped his skin raw.
No wonder you remind me of Donny. Atlas reminds her of Donny? Atlas reminds her of the-- the stupid coward? Atlas reminded her of that?
He has to cover it, moves closer by another step, cautiously laying a hand on her shoulder. What does he even do? There's no way for him to protect her from the things in her world. )
I'm sorry. ( But it's useless. It doesn't change anything. )