[Ren wonders, idly, if this is what Akechi meant about feeling like he could see through him. He likes being in the spotlight sometimes, cocky and dramatic and showing off as Joker, but this two-way emotional broadcast is just. Not it. It’s too much, like being flayed alive and put on display.
So he jumps to his feet and backs away when Buffy finds him, ready to break into a run if he needs to. He hopes he won’t. She doesn’t seem threatening at all, but - the pain is worse. And he doesn’t want to hurt her, either.]
Sorry … [He shakes his head. It’s too much. But he can’t say something like that. He’s the leader, he has to be strong, he is strong, and there can never be too much for him to handle. People count on him. He can’t let them down.]
I’m fine.
[He’s not. Not at all. But good luck getting him to admit it outside of an unspoken mental connection.]
feel free to have her pick up on any of those thoughts btw!
So he jumps to his feet and backs away when Buffy finds him, ready to break into a run if he needs to. He hopes he won’t. She doesn’t seem threatening at all, but - the pain is worse. And he doesn’t want to hurt her, either.]
Sorry … [He shakes his head. It’s too much. But he can’t say something like that. He’s the leader, he has to be strong, he is strong, and there can never be too much for him to handle. People count on him. He can’t let them down.]
I’m fine.
[He’s not. Not at all. But good luck getting him to admit it outside of an unspoken mental connection.]