Rose probably would have ended up beside him, regardless of invitation, but it does make her feel more at ease to see him WANT her at his side. She’s aware of her husband’s need to be alone from time to time -- they all need that, sometimes, but on this particular occasion, she couldn’t just turn away. Rose leans against him comfortably, a hint of a smile pulling at her lips as she feels his pressed to her head. She sits up when Mitch pulls away -- she’s known him TOO long not to immediately be able to tell when he’s losing himself. She knows the feeling well herself, knowing she will never get over the son they lost.
A gentle hand raises to the back of his neck, fingers feather light against his skin as her gaze focuses on Mitch. “I know that but you’re not ALONE in any a’that and you don’t deserve t’be. As much as you wanna protect me? You’re outta your mind if you think I’m gonna let you deal with those monsters a’yours on your own -- hear me?” Rose reaches with her other hand to take him gently by the chin, willing her husband to MEET her eyes again.
“-- We both lost him,” she adds in a softened voice, eyes glassy with emotion, “What I’m not gonna lose is YOU. So, you don’t need t’drag me anywhere, I’m staying right here with you whether you like it or not.”
