A Conversation with Reth - Part 1

I'm sitting in my office, near tears, when the big man himself walks in. I hear his heavy footsteps before I see him and my stomach tenses. I know what this is, and I don't want to do it.

Then he appears, so big he fills the doorway with his shadow. He's alone. Which is somehow better and worse at the same time.

I look up and he stops, chin low, eyes on me, warm and understanding—but unflinching.

"Damn you, Reth," I mutter. I'm swallowing tears and have to look away because his kindness just makes the emotion worse.

"I come to comfort you, and you would curse me?" he asks, his low rumble warm and cheeky.

"Stop smiling. I don't feel like smiling."