( it wouldn't be maelle if she didn't feel compelled to say something to rebuke his words; for all that she is and ever was, maelle's streak of rebellion never pushed too much past indifferent behavior and words that became sharper with every passing day. this is maelle being soft, being agreeable, and it hurts him to think the reasons why she is.

gustave squeezes her hand before letting it go, putting his hand to her back as he guides the way; he knows that she really never was someone who wanted her hand to be held.

he guides her to the room he's rented out, still pointing things out to her, as ways of her to 'recognize' the motel, to be careful about crossing the road, explanations and observations he would always offer her, though a lot more taciturn this time around. once they arrive at the room, gustave offers a clumsy, )

I'm going to ask for a second key, for you. I should have thought about it before, sorry.

( and in they are.

the light of the moon beams down through the window, and gustave helps guide maelle so that she doesn't bump into any of the sparse furniture. )

It's just the one bed. I don't mind sharing if you don't, but it's yours if you want it.

( he'll figure something else out. )