[Maya doesn't shush him, doesn't tell him not to cry. She doesn't even stop herself from crying with him, albeit much more quietly, holding on to him as though somehow her tiny frame can be the strength he needs to keep himself on his feet.
And then he starts to apologise, to Tetsuo, loudly and full of pain, with a sincerity that she's not even sure she's been able to reach in mourning. And her heart aches for him, and she holds him tighter, and she just tries to breathe. There's nothing that Maya can do or say right now that will help him, not more than pouring his heart out will. So she steels her wits, buries her face in his shoulder, and rides out witnessing that pain from him.
She can't give him Tetsuo back, not the way he used to be. She can't change anything about this. But she can hold onto him, and she can carry the weight with him for a little while.
When Kaneda's calmed down a bit, Maya starts to rub his back, gentle and slow, and leans her head against his. Her own eyes wet with tears in her empathy, she looks up and tries to blink them back-- she should be the one being strong now. Kaneda needs her to be. She reaches one hand up to rub her fingers gently in the hair at the nape of his neck, letting out a slow sigh. There's so much she could say, but none of it would matter-- words won't help right now.
He needs someone, and she's here. For as long as he needs her, she'll stay resolute.]
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And then he starts to apologise, to Tetsuo, loudly and full of pain, with a sincerity that she's not even sure she's been able to reach in mourning. And her heart aches for him, and she holds him tighter, and she just tries to breathe. There's nothing that Maya can do or say right now that will help him, not more than pouring his heart out will. So she steels her wits, buries her face in his shoulder, and rides out witnessing that pain from him.
She can't give him Tetsuo back, not the way he used to be. She can't change anything about this. But she can hold onto him, and she can carry the weight with him for a little while.
When Kaneda's calmed down a bit, Maya starts to rub his back, gentle and slow, and leans her head against his. Her own eyes wet with tears in her empathy, she looks up and tries to blink them back-- she should be the one being strong now. Kaneda needs her to be. She reaches one hand up to rub her fingers gently in the hair at the nape of his neck, letting out a slow sigh. There's so much she could say, but none of it would matter-- words won't help right now.
He needs someone, and she's here. For as long as he needs her, she'll stay resolute.]