[believe him, he understands the irony. Abel shifts, slightly, as if in search of a more comfortable position -- even if his unease was not physical.]
...
[his knee-jerk reaction is to selfishly and cowardly say yes. yes, yes yes. yes...
but he had seen how much it had eased a burden on his brother to be... free of those secrets. he never wanted to hear him speak of feeling like Abel was ashamed of him again...
...yet, thinking of Astha... if she were to know, then...]
I can't... ask you to do that for me. [not anymore, even if he's terrified.]
no subject
...
[his knee-jerk reaction is to selfishly and cowardly say yes. yes, yes yes. yes...
but he had seen how much it had eased a burden on his brother to be... free of those secrets. he never wanted to hear him speak of feeling like Abel was ashamed of him again...
...yet, thinking of Astha... if she were to know, then...]
I can't... ask you to do that for me. [not anymore, even if he's terrified.]