[Leo is confused when he sees that sad smile. It's a relief and upsetting all at once. The forgiveness is all he wants and yet something that he can't accept. Worse yet, it feels like Elliot has opened a box of emotions that Leo wanted to keep shut. The air feels heavy again, everything smells like blood and it's so hard to breath- Leo sinks forward, hands grabbing at Elliot's shirt for support, but he only has one hand now and the other arm, the stub, misses its mark.
That act, that reminder, is what he'll call the triggering action. Leo will not give Elliot credit for making his eyes burn and his heart ache, even if it's true. No one can make him happier or hurt him more than Elliot. Since their reunion, Leo has been biting back these emotions and letting them build up. But he knew he'd break eventually. He's certain that he's trembling as he tries to formulate an argument that might defend him against forgiveness.
Instead of starting a fight, Leo screams. Anguish, anger, fear, grief, relief, all mixed together into an awful sound. He prides himself on reading a lot and having the option of eloquently expressing himself, but only this mix of crying and screaming can explain what he's feeling now. He's not letting his friend go either, curling forward like he did when he found Elliot the last time. Leo doesn't care if he's making a scene. He should have made more of a scene back then. Before then. At some point, when everything start slipping out of control.
When his emotions have settled enough that he can get a lid on them again, Leo quiets himself down. The cracking sound his voice makes as he speaks to Elliot disgusts him:]
... We never speak of this again.
[He's not moving yet. Elliot doesn't get to see all of the ripped up emotions on his face when Leo responds his final message:] I forgive you too.
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That act, that reminder, is what he'll call the triggering action. Leo will not give Elliot credit for making his eyes burn and his heart ache, even if it's true. No one can make him happier or hurt him more than Elliot. Since their reunion, Leo has been biting back these emotions and letting them build up. But he knew he'd break eventually. He's certain that he's trembling as he tries to formulate an argument that might defend him against forgiveness.
Instead of starting a fight, Leo screams. Anguish, anger, fear, grief, relief, all mixed together into an awful sound. He prides himself on reading a lot and having the option of eloquently expressing himself, but only this mix of crying and screaming can explain what he's feeling now. He's not letting his friend go either, curling forward like he did when he found Elliot the last time. Leo doesn't care if he's making a scene. He should have made more of a scene back then. Before then. At some point, when everything start slipping out of control.
When his emotions have settled enough that he can get a lid on them again, Leo quiets himself down. The cracking sound his voice makes as he speaks to Elliot disgusts him:]
... We never speak of this again.
[He's not moving yet. Elliot doesn't get to see all of the ripped up emotions on his face when Leo responds his final message:] I forgive you too.