[ The words come out even more staccato and rough with emotion than before. Ben knows it would probably be the right thing to do, to share his story, when Kieran has just opened up. He knows that. He can't comfort Kieran if he's sobbing or having a panic attack and he's never managed to tell anyone about his death - apart from that it happened - and Ben just knows that if he tries, it's going to get ugly, fast. He just... can't. ]
I just wanted you to know. I didn't want you to feel alone.
[ And besides, there's something much more urgent to be addressed. He really doesn't like the implications of how Kieran is choosing to comfort him, in return... ]
You didn't deserve this. You don't deserve people hurting you. You didn't deserve to die, Kieran. I really hope that's not what you were trying to say, that I'm more... good than you and so it's okay that -
[ Ben can't even finish the sentence. He has to stop, let out a slow breath. Then, more quietly: ]
no subject
[ The words come out even more staccato and rough with emotion than before. Ben knows it would probably be the right thing to do, to share his story, when Kieran has just opened up. He knows that. He can't comfort Kieran if he's sobbing or having a panic attack and he's never managed to tell anyone about his death - apart from that it happened - and Ben just knows that if he tries, it's going to get ugly, fast. He just... can't. ]
I just wanted you to know. I didn't want you to feel alone.
[ And besides, there's something much more urgent to be addressed. He really doesn't like the implications of how Kieran is choosing to comfort him, in return... ]
You didn't deserve this. You don't deserve people hurting you. You didn't deserve to die, Kieran. I really hope that's not what you were trying to say, that I'm more... good than you and so it's okay that -
[ Ben can't even finish the sentence. He has to stop, let out a slow breath. Then, more quietly: ]
You're a good person, Kieran.