her questions are a LITANY that falls on DEAF ears, each word DISTENDED with the kind of IRONY that protrudes from the syllables & tightens the throat. fingers clench to form fists as he narrows his gaze ( held steadily to the wall – he can’t seem to face her yet ) before veering her way. & he feels as if he’s STARVING, the CITIES between his ribs reduced to dust in the wake of her ignorance. but can he BLAME her? ignorance is surely BLISS, after all ( especially when it’s to the MONSTER drooling at your feet ! ). if only she knew how he understands, how he FEELS it in his bones. oh how he’d TEAR his own heart ( & anyone else’s !! ) out if it meant seeing her KEEP hers (& oh how she’d HATE him for it ! ). & it’s the SWELL of pain & bitterness that forces the syllables from his throat, caustic & corrosive as the bile that sits ( patiently ) beneath; it’s dismissive & biting, but it’s all he’s got left when looks at her with that ACHE in his chest. lips stretch to form a tight smile, the syllables sliding out slow and pointed. ❝which is exactly why you’d do well to stay out of my way, elena. otherwise who knows what i might do.❞ & the frightening reality of such words BOILS & FROTHS beneath the raillery at the surface.