His eyes crinkle and the corner of his mouth lifts in a grateful smile. Garfield rolls his shoulders reflexively and stretches a hand behind him to caress what flesh his fingers brush, knowing that her powers heal to capacity but always being amazed at the extent nonetheless.
“It always feels tingly when you do that,” he murmurs idly, “in a really good way. I know you feel the person’s pain, but does it –” Gar felt foolish, the words falling limp in his mouth. He wanted to ask, in genuine curiosity and concern, what’s it like? feeling everyone’s pain all the time? Being unable to escape it?
“You deserve better. I mean…” he caught himself, squashing an internal sigh like a passing speed bump, “well, I mean it in that way, too, but who takes away your pain at the end of the day? I feel like I owe you pretty big for the patch up job AND the pep talk, and I doubt my jokes will cover the bill.”
the moments of intimacy such as this was rare to find and even rarer to feel amusement from his choice of words. she realizes how difficult she can appear to be, even around those she considers to be family. soreness shoots through her system as normal, always tiring her out but never fully taking over. at least, so far that she’s been careful. edges of her lips reflect his, appreciating the curiosity and... genuine care. she didn’t think he would show this much of his aura to her, “ i --- end up healed, anyway. my powers allow me to do that in small doses... ” rae softly fills the gap of his question first, itching to linger closer but remains in her circle, “ and... for the record, you don’t owe me anything. just, please, be careful next time? ” it’s all she ever asks in return -- the chance to see him one more time each day they’re out on a mission together. the bird gingerly recoils, coy to show anymore of her emotion that she should and rolls in her lips to comfort herself.