[ Severus doesn't sit down. He doesn't get a chair. He stays where he is, hands on the edge of the counter. He listens. His expression is unreadable.
(At some point he becomes peripherally aware of how hard he's gripping pressed steel, of how his knuckles are whiter than they should be, but he doesn't move.)
He lets her talk and doesn't interrupt, taking in what she's saying. The more dominant analytical part of him commits it to memory and takes highlighted notes about what to fit in where, what may need further elaboration, what should be investigated and pressed at. It helps him keep his shit together listening.
That's all it helps with. ]
Look at you. [ Quietly. His voice is rougher than he thought it'd be. ] Dealing with all that, remembering and believing and not breaking down. Look how bloody good you are at this and not terrible at all.
q_q
(At some point he becomes peripherally aware of how hard he's gripping pressed steel, of how his knuckles are whiter than they should be, but he doesn't move.)
He lets her talk and doesn't interrupt, taking in what she's saying. The more dominant analytical part of him commits it to memory and takes highlighted notes about what to fit in where, what may need further elaboration, what should be investigated and pressed at. It helps him keep his shit together listening.
That's all it helps with. ]
Look at you. [ Quietly. His voice is rougher than he thought it'd be. ] Dealing with all that, remembering and believing and not breaking down. Look how bloody good you are at this and not terrible at all.