Summer’s voice was choked with tears, and she rubbed a hand over her swollen, red eyes. “Percival, please. I just need — I need some time. I don’t — ” Her voice fell. “I don’t like you to see me like this.”
“Summer, you don’t need to hide anything from me.” Percival stepped closer, taking her hand in his. “There’s not anything you could do to make me think less of you.”
“That isn’t what I said,” she protested, feebly. She didn’t try to take her hand back, though; his warm grip was oddly comforting.
“I just…” Percival frowned, looking downward. “I don’t want you to be alone when you’re feeling this way, it’s not good for a person, and I need you to know that I’m always here for you and I’m not going to make those mistakes I made before again and-” He trailed off, sighing, before looking back up into her eyes. “I don’t want to leave you, Summer.”
She put her face against his shoulder and just breathed, in and out, trying to swallow down more tears. She wanted to find some way to send him away, but she couldn’t think of anything he’d actually listen to. And it was completely useless to try to move him physically — he was twice her size. “Damnit, Percival,” Summer muttered helplessly.