… words settle uneasily in the spaces between his ribs, different now than they would have been five years ago. rendering him immobile for a split second , brain whirring mile a minute as brown hues don't waver from her face. flashes of fevered skin , spilled blood & pained moans occupy him. whispers of wesker and mind control , buried caskets devoid of closure but full of loss. he's not the man he was back then , so trusting , so easy ──── worry has made a home of him indeed , an unwanted tenant that moved in ages ago who now refuses to vacate the premises [ no matter the eviction notices plastered on the front door. ] ... god , how in the fuck did they end up here ?? jaw tightens just a little before forcing himself to ease off , allowing a soft breath out thru his nose , nonchalant shrug of his shoulders following suit. ‘ yeah … well ’ logically he know this , he does ; jill valentine is not the type that needs saving .... but logic doesn’t do much against memories that haunt. gaze dips , and beat passes before he allows their eyes to meet again. ‘ lucky you , ’m not exactly great at followin' instructions. ’ crazy , because he's only been doing it his entire life. ghost of a smile hooks itself into the corners of his mouth , lame attempt at masking whatever heaviness still plagues his mind.