[It does break the tension, but only some. It weighs heavy on him. Five years feels like an actual eternity. He wraps his hands around the bowl for a few long moments, warming them until it's just a little too hot, and then focuses on his cool drink instead.]
I know. [And he believes it now. She's here. Somehow, he's here, and they're both here at the same time, and she doesn't know and clearly both wants to know and doesn't. Where would he even start? Way back in New York?] I know. And I appreciate it. I don't wanna...
[He doesn't want to weigh her down. Like a damn anchor. He backtracks a little, tries a different angle.]
no subject
I know. [And he believes it now. She's here. Somehow, he's here, and they're both here at the same time, and she doesn't know and clearly both wants to know and doesn't. Where would he even start? Way back in New York?] I know. And I appreciate it. I don't wanna...
[He doesn't want to weigh her down. Like a damn anchor. He backtracks a little, tries a different angle.]
I'm not the guy you remember me to be.