[Here is where Bruno finds himself reluctant again to answer. Because it feels like so many things and so much of it he doesn't want to put on Polnareff. He doesn't even want to part with it in general. He looks away again because he can't stand that look of hope in Polnareff's eyes. He put that there again and he knows he shouldn't have, but he can't see any other choice he could have made. So, he just looks out at the ocean again instead of at Polnareff while the debate carries on inside himself as to whether or not he can or should tell Polnareff anything further.]
[Would it be cruel to say nothing? To refuse to tell him? Or would it be worse? Would Polnareff be able to understand or would he see this as something he can surmount and just latch further onto that hope that Bruno wishes he didn't have? Bruno folds his hands together in his lap, neatly but also tight enough that his knuckles start to turn a little white. If he were the type to reflexively smile, it'd probably come across more as a grimace, but as it is, Bruno's expression remains neutral albeit straining to remain so in his eyes.]
[It occurs to him that he hasn't had a conversation like this since... Since...]
Where do I start? [he says absentmindedly and more to himself than to Polnareff.] Jean, this is just borrowed time for me.
no subject
[Would it be cruel to say nothing? To refuse to tell him? Or would it be worse? Would Polnareff be able to understand or would he see this as something he can surmount and just latch further onto that hope that Bruno wishes he didn't have? Bruno folds his hands together in his lap, neatly but also tight enough that his knuckles start to turn a little white. If he were the type to reflexively smile, it'd probably come across more as a grimace, but as it is, Bruno's expression remains neutral albeit straining to remain so in his eyes.]
[It occurs to him that he hasn't had a conversation like this since... Since...]
Where do I start? [he says absentmindedly and more to himself than to Polnareff.] Jean, this is just borrowed time for me.