I retreated a step, hiding my hands behind my back. "I...I didn't mean to," I mumbled, staring at the ground. He wasn't mad, was he?
"Didn't mean to?" He took a breath, and the journal disappeared into his spatial ring. He ran a hand over his horn. "Gah, what would you even want with something like that?"
"Is it okay if I read it?"
He stared at me for a long moment, his lips parted like a gulping fish. "You read it?"
I ducked my head. "I'm sorry?"
He let out a groan, dropping into my chair with a heavy thud, burying his face in his hands. "Oh gods, Xiv. Why?"
"I was curious," I mumbled. "I wanted to know...I wanted to know about you. Before everything."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You can't go around reading people's journals, Xiv. They're supposed to be private."
"I know. I'm sorry," I whispered, hugging myself. "I shouldn't have. It's just...I wanted to understand you."
