⟪ it takes her a moment to place what these words remind her of, as he sinks back into her touch, as she slowly lets go off his hands to get back to massaging his back, tend to the tensions in the most physical way she can. it sounds familiar –– 

it's an odd comparison, in the end, but it feels fitting anyway. drugs. not that she's ever done anything worse than smoke a little weed, the fox had saved her from that, had given her a place of safety and comfort and simple joys that were enough of a home to keep her from it. but addicts spoke that way about dead friends, sometimes. it's heroin, you don't expect to live that long. ⟫

I... I don't think it's fine. ⟪ her voice is very soft. ⟫ I think it's very, very difficult, actually.

⟪ there's a moment's hesitation, as she tries to wrap her thought into words.⟫

I know you're strong. I just... I need you to know that I'm not going to fox off the moment you're feeling something other than calm and good humour.