[This is some... rather intense emotional whiplash. One moment they're being open and honest and talking about feelings, something that is already beyond what he'd be comfortable with anywhere else. Then She's shocked and distressed and he has no idea what he's said or done to upset her but it's very clear that's precisely what he's done.
She paces and he closes his eyes, breathing slowly, carefully measured breaths, trying to tell himself again and again that.... this is what she asked for, this is what she wanted. He doesn't need to retreat behind those walls he's spent his entire life putting in place.
When she rounds on him again there's something cold and distant in his gaze, something that is more the Marshal than the man underneath. Especially when her words are more threat than warning. Maybe he had been wrong to be so open. Maybe-
His jaw clenches tight, eyes closing once more. Astrals, but everyone keeps telling him how he doesn't need to do that, be like that here. That he can and should let his walls down. When he finally speaks his voice wavers slightly, glancing at her only hesitantly, ready to bring those walls slamming back into place in an instant but trying, for her sake, for their sake, not to immediately shut down.]
no subject
She paces and he closes his eyes, breathing slowly, carefully measured breaths, trying to tell himself again and again that.... this is what she asked for, this is what she wanted. He doesn't need to retreat behind those walls he's spent his entire life putting in place.
When she rounds on him again there's something cold and distant in his gaze, something that is more the Marshal than the man underneath. Especially when her words are more threat than warning. Maybe he had been wrong to be so open. Maybe-
His jaw clenches tight, eyes closing once more. Astrals, but everyone keeps telling him how he doesn't need to do that, be like that here. That he can and should let his walls down. When he finally speaks his voice wavers slightly, glancing at her only hesitantly, ready to bring those walls slamming back into place in an instant but trying, for her sake, for their sake, not to immediately shut down.]
I meant no harm...