"I'll be fine." It is Ned's stock response, rolling off his tongue without prior thought. He doesn't want to worry Erik, to seem weak.
Because now that Tony has gone the shame starts to creep up on Ned, slowly and steadily. This is the second time Erik has seen him completely helpless. What must he think of Ned? Battered and terrorized by everything bigger and stronger than he is in this place? The fear is receding, but it leaves Ned shaking like a leaf in its wake. He crosses his arms tightly, fingers digging into his arms, willing his body to stop.
There's something fascinating about Erik, in his current state. Something solemn and still that Ned doesn't understand. He does his best not to stare. "I really can't thank you enough," he says, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, "I owe you. Again." Ned doesn't know why he feels the need to justify himself to Erik in particular. He has an innate desire not to let him down, not to seem beneath his notice. Like there's much chance of that, now. "He just came out of nowhere."
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Because now that Tony has gone the shame starts to creep up on Ned, slowly and steadily. This is the second time Erik has seen him completely helpless. What must he think of Ned? Battered and terrorized by everything bigger and stronger than he is in this place? The fear is receding, but it leaves Ned shaking like a leaf in its wake. He crosses his arms tightly, fingers digging into his arms, willing his body to stop.
There's something fascinating about Erik, in his current state. Something solemn and still that Ned doesn't understand. He does his best not to stare. "I really can't thank you enough," he says, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, "I owe you. Again." Ned doesn't know why he feels the need to justify himself to Erik in particular. He has an innate desire not to let him down, not to seem beneath his notice. Like there's much chance of that, now. "He just came out of nowhere."