[ He notices that Carver doesn't keep working and says nothing about it, remains passively focused on his screen, the soft sounds of his typing continuing intermittently. If he can do nothing else then he can sit and be present without pressuring him to do anything.
Bear, of course, used to Harold having moments like this, knows how to comfort without being demanding, matching the quiet energy of the moment as he presses up to Carver.
When he finally speaks it's unexpected, and Harold's eyes dart up to look at him over the lid of his laptop. His hands still. He can't be surprised Carver knows what it looks like to take a blast injury and then heal badly from it. It goes without saying that Harold doesn't talk about his injuries, doesn't explain them to anyone, hasn't even really told John. It was always too hard, like the words coming up from his throat were edged with knives and would tear up his esophagus.
With the benefit of time and more tragedies to crowd out that older one, its sharpness has softened. Enough at least to let him speak to someone who will understand what he means when he says simply, ]
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Bear, of course, used to Harold having moments like this, knows how to comfort without being demanding, matching the quiet energy of the moment as he presses up to Carver.
When he finally speaks it's unexpected, and Harold's eyes dart up to look at him over the lid of his laptop. His hands still. He can't be surprised Carver knows what it looks like to take a blast injury and then heal badly from it. It goes without saying that Harold doesn't talk about his injuries, doesn't explain them to anyone, hasn't even really told John. It was always too hard, like the words coming up from his throat were edged with knives and would tear up his esophagus.
With the benefit of time and more tragedies to crowd out that older one, its sharpness has softened. Enough at least to let him speak to someone who will understand what he means when he says simply, ]
I walked away and Nathan didn't.