[ but that is where she is wrong, of course — he seeks no comfort. there is none, not really; and someone who's grieving the same way he is... well, even if he wanted comfort, he wouldn't ask it from her.

instead, he huffs out a laugh. ]

Nah, it's fine. Just — you get it, don't you? Root's gone, too. And I don't want to talk to others, because it'll be I'm sorry or at least you had this time together or other platitudes, and it's...

[ well. none of it will make him feel better, so he doesn't want to pretend that it does. ]