Ah. “No,” Theo agreed shakily, now that he understood why Greengrass had laughed. “No, that doesn’t.” He huffed a laugh of his own, and had almost managed a wan smile before he ducked his gaze downwards again to better hide the sorrow that washed over him after. And he and Cash might not have ever talked as much as they should have, but he was slowly realising that he had still talked more to Cash than he had to anybody else. Been more open. Been better. Been more himself. He didn’t know how that had happened, and he didn’t know how to be any of those things with anyone else. Maybe it made sense that he was floundering without him.

Greengrass’ offer, unexpected and undeserved as it was, made Theo actually straighten up slightly and glance up again. Looking at his hands, he blew out a slow, steadying breath. It helped reorient him, just a little. He inhaled and exhaled again, until the urge to sob had subsided, just enough, and then looked at Greengrass properly. Didn’t quite meet his eyes, but close. 

The most surprising thing of all was that Greengrass really did seem sincere. It felt like there was maybe an escape route from here, after all. He wasn’t sure it would work, but even having a sliver of a chance was something. So – “Thanks,” Theo said, the force of his gratitude winning out over embarrassment. “Really, thank you.” (Well, mostly winning out – there was still ruefulness written all over his face as he said it, to add silently: and I’m really sorry for all this.)

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Ford had not been sure whether he expected Gallivan to agree, but thought it was probably for the best that he had. It was a lot to manage alone, and if looks were anything to go by Gallivan wasn't doing a great job of it so far (this was unfair, of course, because getting caught chatting with someone when you wanted to be alone on a normal day was not the same as it happening literally during your lover's wedding; tensions were likely running high already). Still, though, it made a striking picture, Gallivan sitting on the ground and rubbing his eyes and curled in on himself. Ford couldn't help but wonder if Cash had known it would be this bad, when he'd made his decisions. Was this what trying to protect someone looked like? But Cash probably hadn't thought about this, because Cash didn't think about a lot of things, and Ford — rather than making any attempt to be the voice of reason — had excused himself from the conversation as soon as Cash had made it clear there was another player here.

Did that give him a touch of culpability here too? Ford had been so hurt by the idea that Cash would have failed to even hint at something so big that trying to say anything after that had felt pointless. And alright, it wasn't really as though Ford had any say in what Cash did, but maybe if he had made more of an effort it wouldn't have been quite so bad.

"It'll get better," Ford said, with as much empathy and kindness as he could pack into the words. "You'll get through it."

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Set by Lady!