[Charles can't quite look at her at first, isn't sure he deserves comfort even if this woman has less reason to give him false reassurances than the one he knows. He feels more vulnerable and flayed open than he's ever been comfortable being, and it's difficult not to feel alone here, even if she's trying to help.
He does finally meet her eyes though, and he's not surprised by the compassion, or resentful of it, even if he still doesn't quite know how to react to it.]
spam
He does finally meet her eyes though, and he's not surprised by the compassion, or resentful of it, even if he still doesn't quite know how to react to it.]
I hope so.