[ It’s a little like handling a ticking bomb, because while Chuck’s still and quiet under Raleigh’s hand, he’s also strung tight, taut, a rubber band about to snap. Raleigh’s not afraid of what could happen if Chuck did, but he’d like to avoid that outcome, if at all possible.
He slides his other hand around Chuck’s nape.
Probably not the best of his ideas, but it’s what Raleigh's seen people do to skittered animals that need calming. Over the years, Raleigh’s found that it works just as well on some people, but maybe Chuck’s not in that category. If Chuck asks, it could be for balance.
Raleigh finishes wiping down the cuts on Chuck’s cheek with a hand on Chuck’s nape, thumb idly and intermittently brushing the soft, short hairs there; there’s a cut on the bridge of his nose that needs attention, too, so Raleigh targets that one next.
Raleigh's mouth falls open a little, unsure. He --
-- doesn't want to say anything to spook Chuck further, so he doesn't. Say anything, that is. Raleigh sucks in a quick breath, carrying on like he'd tried to before, gentle with the cotton ball. ] —'m gonna do the nose, and then we can take a look at your shoulder. Sound good?
no subject
He slides his other hand around Chuck’s nape.
Probably not the best of his ideas, but it’s what Raleigh's seen people do to skittered animals that need calming. Over the years, Raleigh’s found that it works just as well on some people, but maybe Chuck’s not in that category. If Chuck asks, it could be for balance.
Raleigh finishes wiping down the cuts on Chuck’s cheek with a hand on Chuck’s nape, thumb idly and intermittently brushing the soft, short hairs there; there’s a cut on the bridge of his nose that needs attention, too, so Raleigh targets that one next.
Raleigh glances up, meets Chuck’s eyes. ] I’m gonna do th—
[ He pauses.
Fear.
Raleigh's mouth falls open a little, unsure. He --
-- doesn't want to say anything to spook Chuck further, so he doesn't. Say anything, that is. Raleigh sucks in a quick breath, carrying on like he'd tried to before, gentle with the cotton ball. ] —'m gonna do the nose, and then we can take a look at your shoulder. Sound good?