Dory absolutely loathed that Maple seemed to understand the pain he suffered from ever since the dragons' attack on London. He might've been bitter and cruel in the immediate aftermath of his injury, but he never once wished anyone else to suffer like him, he'd only ever wanted to not be in pain. His smile lessened and his expression shifted into something akin to regret. He owed her a long list of apologies, some relevant to his injury and others not. However, he wasn't sure if now was the time to begin voicing them.

The kettle's abrupt whistling provided the answer he needed, for it was the distraction required to break the tension building within him. Now was the time for her to focus on healing, not the trials of their past. Later, perhaps once they've regained the closeness they shared, he'd begin to rectify all his past mistakes.

Dory had all but settled upon shifting the subject to her holiday plans when she not so subtly asked about Winnie. There would be no ignoring the past mistakes while on this topic, to which Dory sighed softly. "For a few months, yes." The truth was the only consolation he could offer Maple. He placed their glasses on the table and sat opposite her, another sigh escaping him though this one was due solely to being off his leg. "She left just about a year ago now, but it was a long time coming even before then."

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