Hey There! Oh, Isolation is being Re-Written! If you want to see the original story (for whatever reason), a Google Doc is available here!
This must be weighing you down a bit.
"Huh"? Bran blurted out to Tor'me, his eyes still glued to the window.
"I said I'm sorry to both of you for not being able to have Joshua stay,"
'Ichael doesn't know how to respond to any of this. After having been so excited to get to stay here, all of a sudden it felt dirty to do anything other than think about Joshua. About him leaving, not feeling like he should stay here. About any of the things they could've done differently to let him feel better about being here. To make him feel the joy 'Ichael has felt because of this place and the people here.
The joy that had intoxicated 'Ichael not too long ago.
Bran sighed on the other side of Tor'me. "I'm more upset with myself than you; at least you seemed to be doing a better job than me."
"I don't blame you for getting upset," Tor'me immediately said. "I know this hurts." He stepped away from Bran and sat next to 'Ichael, facing away from the window just like them. He extended a hand to them, palm facing up questioningly. 'Ichael took a second before their hand naturally grasped his, stroking their fingers over Tor'me's fur as Tor'me did the same over their skin. Tor'me looked 'Ichael in the eyes and chuckled as he smiled, showing some teeth before his lips came back together, still holding a smile.
'Ichael wasn't quite sure why this came so naturally to them, but the sensations made them smile back to Tor'me. It felt good, in spite of everything that's happened recently.