[Ajax just shakes his head, eating a bit more. He appreciates his concern, but is it really that simple? None of this will ever be simple, none of it will ever be normal. Just as his eyes will never look the same again, forever lacking light in them until the day he dies.]

Things are far more complicated than you think, to just "get out". Whatever she told you was only a fraction of the truth, I'm sure of it.

[He knows that they were talking about him, at least at some point while he'd been making dinner. Aether wouldn't of said anything to him the way he did if they hadn't.]

Besides, I can't just walk away. There's no way I could allow myself to do so. Aether... [Ajax continues to stare down into his soup, speaking softly:] I love her. I really do.

[Another bite is taken, but it feels forced now, finding himself losing his own appetite.]

I wish she'd talk to me, but I don't think she's even being honest with herself. I know why she's upset; it's because she doesn't want to lose me, and I think she feels as if she already has. At least, that's what I think. I know that probably doesn't make much sense right now. Sorry.