circumlocution
\sir-kuhm-loh-KYOO-shuhn\, noun:
The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language.
Prefer the single word to the circumlocution.
-- H.W. Fowler, The King's English
For the drabble meme over at LJ for the prompt 'Brennan and Cam; Coffee, after'. Set between Wannabe In The Weeds and Pain In The Heart, when he was dead, or so it was presumed.
Shoes tread her carpet. Her head stays bent over paper: the congregation knows better than to disturb its priest; the lab its anthropologist. A hand lowers a cup of coffee.
"Booth-"
"I-"
"Oh." A pause. "Dr. Saroyan."
"I thought you'd like some coffee."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Dr. Brennan, if you need anything at all-"
She looks up sharply, her lips parting in response.
"I'm sorry…for your loss." The two women's gazes meet briefly; Cam catches a glimpse of something, almost, behind guarded eyes.
(the slip is easier to catch than this veiled grief, resisting grasp like a fish through fingers.)