The Heartwood invasion of the bodysnatchers

atausiq realizes, too late, that he's hurt her feelings. he sees it in her expression, hears it in the watery catch of her voice. he wants to apologize ...because leta's his sister and his love for her is fierce. he hates that he's hurting her, hate that he didn't mean to but now that he realizes he has, he thinks that pushing her away is the best thing. for her. his ears flutter back against his skull; at war. she put him on a pedestal that he does not deserve, he knows this.

i'm sorry, leta. it feels weak, not the words but because he offers her nothing to clarify and no intention to do so. he swallows thickly himself, holding his shoulders tight and tense.