@aureolle said: ‘How can you go through life pretending that you’re happy?’
The question prompted him to pause, and almost immediately, there came a high-pitched screech of audio feedback and a blip of static.
Were this coming from anyone other than Noah, he would dismiss the question entirely, pretend he didn’t hear it, or simply change the subject—anything to avoid addressing it. But Noah has known him since before his death and seen him at plenty of his lowest moments. Not only did the idea of lying to his beloved leave an unpleasantly bitter taste in his mouth, but if he tried regardless, it wouldn’t surprise him if Noah caught him in the act.
But even so, the thought of speaking what he already knew and has known for quite a long time still filled him with a heavy sense of apprehension. He almost wanted to lie down and curl up on himself instead. Napping in his deer form was suddenly particularly appealing, but...running away wouldn’t do either of them any favors.
“Darling, please...,” he began, his voice soft and the typical filter absent. “Believe me when I say that I do it because I must.”
