[ It is, of course, part oversimplification, part falsehood. They may not live inside him, but Ben can feel them. Not all the time, but they're there, on the other side of the portal. Moving. Wanting to come through. Shifting beneath his skin. But he's already come across as creepy enough without saying that. ]
I'm sorry to hear that.
[ The words probably won't do much, and Ben knows it. But the look on his face is direct, sympathetic, and understanding. Ben isn't surprised to hear Pratt say it. Even that first time they'd met, they seemed able to communicate with one another in a way that means... Pratt's probably been through shit. As someone who's been through shit, too, Ben speaks that same language.
He watches as Pratt pets that wolf, comforting her, comforting himself in the process. Ben feels a little guilty for asking how Pratt is doing, asking him to talk about it, even obliquely. But his concern won out over his discretion. He doesn't argue, when Pratt says he isn't ever going to be okay. Sometimes, that's how things are. Ben knows that. ]
It's not worse, and it's not fucked up. It's completely understandable. That thing was just... an echo. A pale imitation. Trying to make itself big and scary by copying the real monsters.
[ And... yeah he did just put himself in that category along with Jacob, and now at least Pratt will get why. Ben pushes his hands into his pockets; the last thing he wants is to mess Pratt up more or upset him any further, but he wants to make sure one thing is clear: ]
I'm glad that I was around. And... just remember that even if it ever is the real thing, it won't be for long. I promise that. Come get me, and I'll take care of it.
no subject
I'm sorry to hear that.
[ The words probably won't do much, and Ben knows it. But the look on his face is direct, sympathetic, and understanding. Ben isn't surprised to hear Pratt say it. Even that first time they'd met, they seemed able to communicate with one another in a way that means... Pratt's probably been through shit. As someone who's been through shit, too, Ben speaks that same language.
He watches as Pratt pets that wolf, comforting her, comforting himself in the process. Ben feels a little guilty for asking how Pratt is doing, asking him to talk about it, even obliquely. But his concern won out over his discretion. He doesn't argue, when Pratt says he isn't ever going to be okay. Sometimes, that's how things are. Ben knows that. ]
It's not worse, and it's not fucked up. It's completely understandable. That thing was just... an echo. A pale imitation. Trying to make itself big and scary by copying the real monsters.
[ And... yeah he did just put himself in that category along with Jacob, and now at least Pratt will get why. Ben pushes his hands into his pockets; the last thing he wants is to mess Pratt up more or upset him any further, but he wants to make sure one thing is clear: ]
I'm glad that I was around. And... just remember that even if it ever is the real thing, it won't be for long. I promise that. Come get me, and I'll take care of it.