@black0rchid said: " i'm not here to judge you. " from zoé. [ prompt. ]
elliot leans back against the bench he's seated on. his hood covers his face, recently repaired by healing hands, and his fingers grip his knees tightly. he'd allowed himself to get sucked into a deep conversation with a stranger, a woman, although she'd initiated it. about the state of the city now shroud was gone, how criminals had become less fearful of consequences... it creates this familiar sinking feeling, the same he'd felt every time robbie robertson had turned him down for a role in the brave brigade. failure. disappointment. elliot frowns to himself and shakes his head.
" i was stubborn, " he tells her. " overconfident. " imagines the confession must be pretty damn cryptic coming from a total stranger. expects her to express confusion, to question him. instead, she says, i'm not here to judge you, and his brows lift in surprise. then, he laughs. a huff of amusement. " you would if you knew the truth, " elliot says, avoidant of her intense gaze. that he is shroud. she most certainly would judge him after learning that. he has no doubt in his mind. " some things are better left unsaid, though. "
and he'll stand by that. especially given the police are after him still. the last thing he needs is to be returned to prison. to that hell hole. he grits his teeth. it's isolating, so very isolating to be in his position. no one to really turn to, a fall from grace so damning it's left him entirely helpless. well, as helpless as he'll allow himself to be. " you wouldn't understand. "
