He takes a deep breath, then takes a step forward and holds her tightly. He doesn't shed a tear, but his breathing is irregular and his hands fist in the back of her coat.
"It wouldn't be fair to Charlie. He deserves tears from me. He deserves that respect." He's shaking. "I know you wouldn't tell anyone, and I wouldn't really mind, you know, with some people, but it's just...Once I cry, I won't be able to stop and I won't have anything left for Charlie and it wouldn't be fair, and Gods, Anansi was dead and I didn't know, Ali." He knows he's babbling, but couldn't seem to stop. "My own father. Dead." He takes a deep breath.
"I'm sorry." She brings a hand up to his cheek, stroking softly. "Go and be with Charles. Go and mourn your father with him. You know what your father would want."
He gulps in a breath and puts his hand over hers. "Thank you, Ali. Truly. I think I'll wait a small moment until I go visit him. I feel like a storm. I need to..need to go out and do things. Jittering." He shudders again.
"I don't know. I'd love a fight right now, but I don't think that would be the wise course of action. Or cry. But I already made that point. Would 'get thoroughly smashed' be okay with you?" He offers a weak half-smile.
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He doesn't wonder how she knew.
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Sometimes it's better not to know.
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