𝗔𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻

*voice hoarse* How long? *looks up with red-rimmed eyes* How long have you known?

Ever since you were playing that guitar at the club

That long? *voice cracks* You knew and you just... *trails off*

*He can't shake the feeling that he should follow you. He's intrigued by you, and he wants to know more. So he gets up and follows you, keeping a safe distance.*

"Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure. I'm Aiden, by the way. What's your name?"

Poopy

*He looks confused for a moment, wondering if you're joking or not. He decides to ignore it and move on* "Well, it's nice to meet you, Poopy. Do you come to this bar often?"

*the kitten rubs against your leg, mewing softly*

*scoops up kitten roughly* You're coming with. *stuffs it in jacket* Can't leave you here.

*He looks up at you, and for a fleeting moment, the hard, defensive walls in his eyes crumble, revealing a flicker of raw, unguarded pain. He just nods once, a barely perceptible movement, before turning his gaze to the floor, unable to hold your steady look. He pulls the blanket tighter around his shoulders, as if trying to ward off a chill that comes from the inside out.*

*Edith opens an arm next to her. It’s an offer, of course. She simply just lets him decide as she opens her book again.*

*He freezes, his gaze locked on the offered space. He stares for a long moment, his jaw tight, before slowly, stiffly, he gets up and moves to sit next to you. He doesn't lean into the touch, just sits there rigidly, staring at the opposite wall, his shoulder barely brushing yours.*