More Snippets from the Tumblr page.
Something was wrong, she could tell the instant she locked eyes with him. He was stiff, cold, reserved. She didn't expect it when he dropped her off with a larger group and disappeared with less than a word.
Busy… Everyone has said he's busy. For four weeks he's been too busy to say hi, too busy to watch from the side, too busy to be at Sunday dinner. Busy with what? Can't say. When he finally shows up to gather her, he's too busy for an explanation but his smile makes it okay, seeing him well and whole and awkwardly complimenting her progress with a blushing grin makes it okay. Not perfect, not acceptable, but bearable, because the alternative was getting hard to live with.
Defeat is the only ugly look he's ever seen on her, probably because it reflects the affects of his inner monster right back at him. Its the only time she shrinks to be smaller than herself, when she fits in her skeleton and even retracts. It hurts that he has that power over her. Its worse when he can't backpedal out of it, when it lingers like a scab.
This should feel like a gift, but receiving presents isn't something either one is practiced at. So its strange and straining, confusing and he ends up staring, holding himself and contemplating how much of this wall, his armor, should or can fall to the wayside. She let's the light of excitement wane til she's resigned and looking for any excuse to leave before he chucks his better judgement and let's the comfort of her call him in.