3. Hair ruffle for ttebane
@ttebane / platonic touch / closed.
he knows why they’re out, sitting in silence over dinner. she’s never this silent, often chattering to fill the gaps left by the boy with little to say. & normally, he doesn’t mind it, even if he rarely entertains her questions. he picks at the food in front of him, only once every so often reaching to pull the mask down & take a bite.
despite his own silence, he’s grateful. she doesn’t question his well - being or how he’s handling it. he wouldn’t know how to answer, if she did ask. admittedly, he hasn’t dealt with it at all. he’s done what he could to all but forget his father is gone, & everything to forget that he found him.
when they’re finished, his portion scarcely touched, he hesitates to leave. outside the restaurant, he turns to leave but stops himself, pausing before glancing over his shoulder.
❝ … thank you. ❞ he mumbles, seemingly to her surprise. he fights a flinch to shy away as she reaches for him, but the hand ruffling his hair is almost comforting. even beneath the mask he doesn’t smile back, but in the moment he’s happier than he’s felt in a long time.