Breaking up (down?)
The expression on her face made him ache inside.
"Why, Tony?" she said quietly, then started sobbing. "Why?"
She tried to look him in the eyes, his beautiful, beautiful eyes, but he turned away.
He couldn't deal with honesty right now. Blunt accusations, outbursts, crying, screaming, anger, yes…but not honesty. So he simply looked away.
"I can't. Jeanne. I just can't."
His voice stern and calm, his feelings the opposite. She could never know that.
He had been there before. It was dangerous, this road he had taken. Too dangerous. He would get hurt, he was sure of it. He had been hurt before - his childhood was filled with hurt - but this was different. Worse. She had meant so much, had come so close. Too freaking dangerous.
He silently cursed his mother and father for sending him off into this world so badly bruised that he could never trust anybody with his love ever again. It was a reflex burned so deep in his soul it could not be removed this side of eternity.
She was mad at him, no, furious. For not getting a response. For hiding what she knew must be true. For looking so god damned blank. She knew she had lost him and she cried. Because of him. Because he had made silent promises he wouldn't - couldn't - keep.
His eyes were glistening with threatening tears, but he knew they wouldn't fall. They never did.
He couldn't give her the 'why'.
"I'm so sorry."
And just like that, he turned away.