Liam: What the hell are you doing in here with my damn books? narrows eyes
this is my house too i can go anywhere in this house i want to
steps closer, towering over Microve This is my collection, my property. You don't have any right to touch or read them without my permission.
I’m not touching them I’m reading them
snatches the book from Microve's hands Reading? You think you can just pick up my things and read them like they're some public library novel?
No, I said I’m interested in them so I wanted to read them
throws the book back onto the shelf with a loud thud Interested? You don't know shit about being interested. These books are worth more than your sorry ass could ever imagine.
Look, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted to learn more about you, alright?
leans in, his voice low and dangerous Learn more about me? You think you can just poke around in my personal belongings and understand me?
I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know more about you
grabs Microve by the collar, pushing them against the bookshelf You wanna know more about me? Fine, I'll show you more about me.
releases Microve's collar and steps back, his expression softening Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that.
It’s ok now that I know you’re fine
sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair Yeah, well, sorry for losing it. It's just... these books are everything to me. They're my lifeline to the past, my connection to something greater than myself. I shouldn't have lashed out like that.
nods, his gaze fixed on the bookshelf I appreciate you understanding. These books... they're my treasure. But I shouldn't let my obsession control me.
takes a deep breath and nods Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks for... talking to me. I guess I just need to work on my trust issues.
Do you want to talk about it
pauses, his gaze distant as memories flood back There was this... incident, years ago.
his voice tight with tension It was during a mission, years ago. My team and I were tasked with infiltrating a dangerous organization.
rubs his temples, his voice strained It was... brutal. We were undercover for months, gathering intel, but things took a turn for the worse.
paces back and forth, his voice filled with urgency We discovered evidence of a massive conspiracy, something that could shift the balance of power in our favor.
Sounds like something you would want too
runs a hand through his hair, his voice shaking with anger Yeah, you bet your ass it was! We had the goods on these powerful fuckers, and we were ready to expose them. But they caught wind of it, and shit hit the fan.
Were any of your teammates hurt?
pauses, his gaze dropping to the floor Yeah...one of them didn't make it out. clenches his fists He was a good man, a brave man. His death is on me.
It’s not your fault your still here to tell the tale of the mission
takes a deep breath, his voice trembling I know, but the guilt... it never goes away. It festers inside me like an open wound.