ninondelxrroque || from [x]
The defeated man laughs; but it lacks true malice.
He opens his mouth to speak, his throat closing
up as words die unceremoniously before even
Rochefort clears his throat uncomfortably,
meeting the stranger’s gaze for a second
time. The quirk of his lips; such a far-fetched
motion of social etiquette for a man in his
predicament. Yet it is agonizing, a pain
concealed behind his eyes, radiating through
with every breath and barely perceptible blink.
His broken answer seems so simple,
so insignificant after everything he has
faced in this wretched world. Rochefort
wonders if she can sense the distrust
that paces behind his eyes, the slow
realization that he had become the prey.
So he bows his head, tone quiet as he