James wants to pull away from her, but can’t bring himself to— he’s been so jittery about being touched by others since the incident (and understandably so), but despite Masha’s words, he definitely thought he was being weak. ❝ I’ll never be a man. I’ll never be a complete person, and— ❞ He draws in a deep breath, trying to regain at least some degree of composure and dignity. ❝ It is all your fault. I was aware that I could be arrested, but I never imagined they would do THIS to me. And you never told me that. Why? Because I would’ve backed out? Well, any sane person would have! ❞
‘ i told you we could die. that they might shoot us, or hang us, or send us into exile. you can blame me all you’d like, but don’t say i didn’t warn you. ’ masha’s tone and embrace remain soft, in stark contrast to her words. she wants to comfort james, wants to make him feel safe, isn’t quite sure if that’s even possible for him anymore. ‘ what can i do? ’ there’s a hint of melancholy in her voice as she pulls him closer, shoulder uncomfortably wet. ‘ what can i do to make it better? ’