Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
She shrugged, unwinding herself from the floor. ‘I don’t think one man can change a lifetime of being told different is bad’. Her eyes flicked to the floor, and she pressed her lips together before shaking herself, trying to drive away the half-memories. Those she didn’t want to face. She just wanted to know who she /was/.
“That doesn’t mean one man shouldn’t try,” he said softly, a small scowl on his face. He took a deep breath and shook himself mentally and then took a deep breath. “Alright. Okay. So what do we need to do?”
She stopped short, standing very still, at the question. Her mouth opened, as if she would say something if she could, and then closed. Then she jerked the hood over her head again. hiding from him. How could she do this? She needed /everything/, and she hated it. Her hands shook a little as she wrote, ‘I can’t repay you for anything. I have nothing.’