[The answer comes instantly. He knows he's acting irrationally, he knows he's just proving her right. But the thought of anyone getting close to him right now is--is--
pinned beneath Natasha's weight, her knees pressed hard into his back, the sash tightening around his throat
Brook sucks in another strained breath to convince himself he can, reminds himself again that he doesn't have to, he's been a reaper for a hundred years and nothing can hurt him, and presses his eyes into the sleeve of his T-shirt to blot away the damp evidence otherwise. His other hand, working blindly, finds the cover of the book and closes it. Taking it, he stands, letting his still-quivering arm fall away.]
Why. So you can screw things up for me by trying to take me out? You know that's a mistake.
[He keeps his back to her as he reshelves the book at random, and his muscles are tense and hunched.]
cw: referenced strangulation
[The answer comes instantly. He knows he's acting irrationally, he knows he's just proving her right. But the thought of anyone getting close to him right now is--is--
pinned beneath Natasha's weight, her knees pressed hard into his back, the sash tightening around his throat
Brook sucks in another strained breath to convince himself he can, reminds himself again that he doesn't have to, he's been a reaper for a hundred years and nothing can hurt him, and presses his eyes into the sleeve of his T-shirt to blot away the damp evidence otherwise. His other hand, working blindly, finds the cover of the book and closes it. Taking it, he stands, letting his still-quivering arm fall away.]
Why. So you can screw things up for me by trying to take me out? You know that's a mistake.
[He keeps his back to her as he reshelves the book at random, and his muscles are tense and hunched.]
I don't want to have to kill you.