[He winces at that. He hadn't really thought through it when he decided to lie. It had been an impulsive choice- avoidant. That was bad enough.
But then he kept letting Josh talk. Had even encouraged it. It would have been one thing for them to play pretend together while they were both aware of the reality of things... but Joshua didn't. It was cruel.
He just didn't realize it at the time. Now it's starkly obvious]
It is. I just... didn't want to be the one to tell you. And... I guess... I liked talking about it too.
[he has to be honest. He doesn't WANT to, but if he skitters out of it now it'd only get worse. His discomfort is obvious though as he squirms in his chair, trying not to snap or appease- fight or flight]
no subject
But then he kept letting Josh talk. Had even encouraged it. It would have been one thing for them to play pretend together while they were both aware of the reality of things... but Joshua didn't. It was cruel.
He just didn't realize it at the time. Now it's starkly obvious]
It is. I just... didn't want to be the one to tell you. And... I guess... I liked talking about it too.
[he has to be honest. He doesn't WANT to, but if he skitters out of it now it'd only get worse. His discomfort is obvious though as he squirms in his chair, trying not to snap or appease- fight or flight]