It did not seem to distract her, not even a little bit. But she was preparing to leave, it seemed, and he was momentarily relieved; at least she left an open channel for communication, even if it did not seem like she wanted to communicate at all. She sounded like she'd been worn down, and he hadn't intended to do that—he didn't want anything from her that was not given by her own desire to do so. In fact, with all these requirements, he was not sure he'd ever get around to writing at all, but he couldn't deny that the option to do still comforted him in the moment.

"I'll try not to bother you," was all he said in response, because it felt like something she'd like to hear.

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