@meethammer has written: Driver looks at it like a Rorschach test, like something personally offensive. Like a failure. "Where did you get that?" That bruise mocks him.
Damn. He'd almost made it into his apartment, almost came up scott-free, but someone always had to have eyes on him. Even in the comfort of his own apartment complex. This...this wasn't a threat though, not against him, anyways, not with the way the other was eyeing him. He almost felt guilty making the other worry. I can handle myself, really, if you knew the truth of it. This time was a bust, next time might not be. And anyways, the bruise you see is only the start of it. Take off my shirt and you might see more. But you won't, you're nice. Considerate, that's why you're asking.
His fingers hesitate over the door knob in front of him, before he sighs. Sure, he can have a little bit of this conversation, if it meant drying the sad boy's eyes. "Oh, this?" His arm retracts, and he holds it up for the other to see. "Just a work thing. Bumped it on a shelf after some kid thought it'd be funny to sneak up and spook the working librarian. Didn't think it would turn up so bad but...I suppose when enough force comes down..." Right, you would know that. Books could drop enough force to crush a man's skull and you're here teasing about a bruise.