"Ivo," I called, knocking uselessly on the bathroom door. "Ivo, open the door," I half cried. He was trying to be quiet but I could hear him sobbing behind it. I heard movement inside and the door clicked open. His eyes were a little red but otherwise his expression was controlled.
"Are you okay," I asked hesitantly.
He put his hands either side of my hips and stood in front of me, brushing his nose against the tip of mine in a tenderness I wasn't used to.
"I'm glad you told me," he whispered. "I didn't mean to freak out," he said in a soft apology.
"That's okay," I tried to reassure him but I was wary. My heart had been racing as I listened to him throwing up in the bathroom and I regretted even mentioning Leythe to him at all. To me it seemed like an overreaction and I told him this now.
His hands moved from my hips to my face and he looked at me with the most painful expression, his eyes watery.
"Even if they only gave you a paper-cut I would be mad," he said forcefully. "They fucking raped you, Tim," he cried, immediately regretting having said it. His hands dropped from me when he saw my face.
"Oh God, Tim, I didn't mean to," he stopped and watched me as I grabbed my coat and looked for my keys.
"What are you doing," he asked quietly.
I gave no response.
"Tim," he tried again, I could hear the alarm in his voice now.
"I'm going for a walk," I replied coldly.
"It's half one in the morning," he said incredulously, trying to grab my arm but I pulled away.
"So?"
"So it's dangerous." He moved to stand in front of the door.
"Oh why, because of all the rapists," I sneered childishly at him and he watched me wide-eyed. "Funny how you don't think me living with one is dangerous."
I slammed the door on my way out, trying not to think about the look on his face.
It seemed odd to me upon reflection that it took me two milliseconds to break a man. I thought it would have taken longer than that.