Greatwater Lake When that’s all behind us

Averted had her gaze remained, drifting towards the ground as she'd waited for... she wasn't entirely sure what she'd been waiting for. A verbal lashing? Shouts of anger or betrayal? Or, perhaps, understanding? She knew not, for she couldn't decide what she wanted—what would make the situation better, if it could be repaired. Neither had a claim over the other, she'd had to remind herself, but that fact alone didn't make her feel any less guilty. They were friends, and so that by itself should have been enough for her to avoid others at all costs, but it hadn't been.

When he'd finally started to speak, she'd braced herself, only to realize that it wasn't necessary. It was fine, he'd said, it wasn't her fault. Back towards him she'd found her eyes going, but away had he then looked. Knowing not how to respond, she'd offered silence. Her apology had already been extended, and so the urge to give another had to be fought off. It was fine, she'd told herself, repeating his words within her mind.

Their gazes met again, and this time she hadn't looked away. Not even after he'd presented his question, which had, undoubtedly, taken her by surprise. "Yes," the girl had eventually answered, several moments having been taken previously so that her thoughts could be collected. "If they are yours, and you would like to be involved, I would want for you to be there for them as their father." If he wouldn't want to be there, then she wouldn't hold it against him, but she couldn't help but hope that he might like to be.