in this world it's hard to get it right.

This isn't what I expected him to do! :o

There wasn't a doubt in Elwood's mind that he would be able to forgive Finley. But he knew that it wouldn't be a quick fix; this wasn't something that either of them could move past without some effort. And the first step to putting their broken puzzle back together was communication. This didn't seem to be either wolf's strong suit, and while it would have been easier for Elwood to give a short, succinct answer, he felt as though he needed to say more. He wanted to open the door to trust and understanding; after talking to Peregrine, he recognized that he would have to be the one to do it. Finley was struggling.

He wondered briefly what had happened in her past to make her so wary and defensive; this wasn't the time nor place to try and figure it out, but he did hope that someday she would open up to him. With that thought swirling through his mind, he took a few more steps forward, until they were close enough to touch. He could have reached out and tapped her nose with his -- a gesture that was so meaningful to their relationship -- but he refrained.

Looking her in the eye -- gold meeting copper, both brimming with emotion -- he nodded gently. "I can forgive you," he said softly, his voice scarcely above a whisper. His heart fluttered in his chest but he forged ahead. "I will forgive you. I know now that I hurt you, and I never meant to do that. I never want to do that again. There's something I need to tell you, but I don't want you to run. I just want you to listen, okay?" He paused momentarily, but didn't give her a chance to reply. "I love you. I know that you're scared -- so am I. If you're not ready for the next step -- whatever the next step is -- that's fine. I don't want to push you into anything you don't want to do. I just...I just want you to know," he said haltingly. He wasn't sure if she would accept his words, or if she would flee; but he knew that he had to say them.