[ That genuine piece of advice has, at the very least, spared him from receiving A Look at his typical sass. ]
I know.
[ Hadn't she encouraged the same from Ben? Presented herself as a pillar of support where she could? Faintly, she wonders if she hadn't, if she had been less than direct in inviting him to fall apart.
It's difficult to witness, regardless, and to grapple with the knowledge that there is nothing she can do to fix it for him. If only it were that simple, that straightforward. Pensive, she frowns down at Ben's pensive form, smoothing unruly strands away from his forehead. ]
He just needs time.
[ For Luke, she repeats it as a reassurance. For herself, she echoes the sentiment like she is trying to absorb it, fully grasp it. Time. That, at least, she can give him. ]
they're team rocket
I know.
[ Hadn't she encouraged the same from Ben? Presented herself as a pillar of support where she could? Faintly, she wonders if she hadn't, if she had been less than direct in inviting him to fall apart.
It's difficult to witness, regardless, and to grapple with the knowledge that there is nothing she can do to fix it for him. If only it were that simple, that straightforward. Pensive, she frowns down at Ben's pensive form, smoothing unruly strands away from his forehead. ]
He just needs time.
[ For Luke, she repeats it as a reassurance. For herself, she echoes the sentiment like she is trying to absorb it, fully grasp it. Time. That, at least, she can give him. ]