Hermes didn't sit back down. He just stood there, holding the teacup, studying Merlin like he hadn't quite decided what came next.
Merlin's back ached. Probably not real. Probably just his soul remembering how many times it had been twisted around like a wet towel in the last hour.
"You say I didn't break," Merlin said. "But what if I did and I just don't realize it yet?"
Hermes tilted his head. "That's the thing about breaking. You usually notice."
"Unless you get glued back together without knowing it."
"Then maybe you're not broken anymore."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "That's not how trauma works."
"I didn't say it was healthy glue."
He ran a hand through his hair. "What if I can't handle it? What if something from his memories… I don't know… bleeds through. Starts changing how I think. How I act."
Hermes's face didn't change. "Then you'll have to notice. And decide."
