Detailed Roleplayers discussion
1x1
>
Panromantic and Xavier
message 51:
by
j a m m e s
(new)
Jan 02, 2017 03:01PM
Elliot smiled softly as he watched his friend, he looked down and met Whitley's eyes, he shook his head slightly and started to run his hands through Whitley's hair. ' I'd rather watch movies then work,' Elliot signed as he looked back at the TV, his hand was still in Whitley's hair, he had to admit, Whitley's hair was quite soft and silky.
reply
|
flag
Whitley smiled and nodded. His eyes closed partially against his will as Elliot ran his hands through his hair. He loved the feeling. Whit had never had someone before who had wanted to be close to him in any way. Not physically, not in any type of relationship, nothing. And then he had Elliot, who didn't mind at all, seemed to take his quirkiness in stride and easily accept him. "I don't think we're ever gonna get that project done," he mumbled. I like being lazy and hanging out with you too much, Whit added in sign language, his smile becoming softer and sweeter. Elliot had become one of his favorite people since he had arrived in that town and started going to the high school.
Elliot smiled widely, never in his entire life was someone happy or liked hanging out with him as much as Whitley was and did, well unless you count Jessie, but that was different. Elliot continued to run his fingers through Whitley's hair, he smiled, with one hand, ' I don't think we were ever going to finish it anyways, we always seem to hold off on projects because we're either having so much fun hanging out or we just totally put it off because we don't want to do them' Elliot signed with a smile. He bit his lip, ' I don't enjoy being lazy, but I like hanging out with you too Whittie,' Elliot signed with a smile, knowing full well that Whitley hated that nickname.
Whitley made a face at the use of that nickname and knew it was only payback for him saying "Ellie". Don't stop doing that, he basically commanded, loving the feeling of Elliot's hand going through his hair. It was also kinda intimate, the touches that they would give. Running hands through the other's hair, squeezing a hand, resting against each other. But never did he say anything about it, afraid Elliot would realize and decide that he didn't want to be friends with him anymore or something. "What is even going on in this movie? What are watching? I've completely forgotten," Whitley said with a little chuckle. That -besides not being able to hear it- was the bad part about watching movies, he often ended up losing track of what was happening.
(( I'll reply later, I'm at school at the moment ))
Elliot wished he could laugh, but could not because it hurt anyways if he tried, ' Honestly I have no idea, I don't even remember the title ' Elliot answered, he didn't bother stopping with touching Whitley's hair, he loved the feeling of it between his fingers, he also loved the other little touches they gave each other because it made him feel loved. He knew his family loved him but it made him feel loved in other senses, he bit his lip suddenly and blushed at a thought he was having.
((I had an idea. So maybe Whit still has these panic attacks that are triggered by something reminding him of the attack at his mother's school and he's with Elliot when a really bad storm roles in and something happens, maybe lighting strikes really closely and it freaks him out and he has an episode while he's with Elliot?)) Whit smiled, at least assured that he wasn't the only one who had forgotten. He went back to the movie, content to sit with him. "Elliot..." he started softly but stopped. He honestly had no idea what he wanted to say. Maybe just that he was confused and wanted to know if everything they did meant anything to him or it was just kinda something that happened then was forgotten. But he was also scared that he would drive Elliot away.
(( sure, let's spice that up though, what if they're at school when it happens? ))Elliot looked down at Whitley, he didn't do a single thing, he suddenly stopped playing with Whitley's hair, but only to crack his fingers and thumbs, he wiggled carefully away from Whitley and stood up. He yawned and stretched and then turned back sound to look down at Whitley with a large smile on his face as he happily gazed down at the boy below him on the couch.
((Yeah, sure. That works.))Whitley made a face when Elliot moved and he dramatically fell back onto the couch in the space Elliot had just been in. "I was comfortable. How could you be so rude and move? So selfish," he mumbled teasingly, throwing an arm over his eyes before peeking up at him with a grin. Moments like these were ones he hadn't really ever had before. Which was probably why he found himself liking them so much.
Elliot silently laughed, ' Well I'm sorry I'm not as young as you are, my bones get all stiff very easily and I can't stand the pain of moving them without cracking them or stretching, now get up, you need your pillow back don't you' Elliot said with a teasing grin as he reached down and ruffled Whitley's hair. Elliot bit his lip suddenly as he began thinking about something, he shook his head and got rid of the thought, he didn't need to think about that right now.
((Just let me know when you're ready to move on from here. I'm not even sure what we'll do here...))Whitley's grin grew and he sat up again, waiting for Elliott top get comfortable before unashamedly using him as a pillow and something's to lean on. He's moved himself around until he was comfortable and yawned loudly, sounding more like a prehistoric dinosaur than a 16 year old boy.
((Sorry it's so short. That's all I came up with.))
(( let's move on that because I've got nothing, but I've got to get to bed :) ))
((However really. Just make them both in a class they share. Maybe the school has been stopped for a tornado warning so they're all huddled together.))
(( okay ))" Honestly why do we have to have a tornado drill? All that ever happens here is a big flipping storm," Jessie complained as they were all huddled together in Chemistry. ' Stop complaining Jess, its protocol so that if it ever happens then we would be protected, also clearly you have never been to Oklahoma,' Elliot snapped at her in sign language, he decided to turn to Whitley and wrapped an arm around him, there was a storm going on and the school had issued a tornado warning because someone in the city had supposedly spotted one heading for the school. Jessie huffed, " Do you talk to your father with those hands?" Jessie muttered as she huddled closer to Elliot in order not to get touched by other guys who clearly wanted to be close to her.
Whitley pulled his legs up to his chest and rested his forehead on top of his knees. He hated storms and he especially hated tornadoes, particularly while at school. Whit glanced over at Jess and Elliot but let them bicker by themselves, looking out a window on the other side of the classroom. "Hey, Elliot, do you suppose-" he started but never finished as lightning struck just outside the window. He startled, the flash taking him back to the attack and the feeling of the school shaking because of the power of it completed it all. Whit didn't see the school, he saw his mother through his young eyes and heard her talking, a loud boom, and then nothing. He reached up, clawing, scraping at his ears because they weren't working. Whit didn't know he had the class' and teacher's attention, that he was calling out and crying as he seemingly tried to remove his ears from his head, the skin breaking by his ears and bleeding. He couldn't stop himself, he'd just go on until someone stopped him.
Elliot turned to look at Whitley when the boy began talking to him, but they were interrupted by a large crack and the school shook, according to Jessie a lighting bolt just struck the ground outside the school and he immediately turned to Whitley knowing full well the boy would go into full panic mode. Elliot saw Whitley already on full panic mode, Elliot put a calm face on and he grabbed Whitley's hands, ' Hold his arms down Jessie!' Elliot demanded and Jessie leaped forward grabbing onto Whitley's arms and pulled them down, she held them down as Elliot immediately wrapped his arms around Whitley, hugging him tightly to his body, he wished they weren't in the deaf and mute predicament or this would be way easier. But since they were, the only think Elliot could do right now was hug Whitley until he calmed down, he wore a calm expression, which seemed to calm everyone else down.
Whitley struggled against the arms holding him for a few minutes, wanting to rid himself of his deafness. It was a while before he finally calmed to a degree, reduced to sobbing into Elliot's chest. He gripped tightly onto the fabric of Elliot's shirt. Whit hated these attacks. They drained him of his energy and his enthusiasm. They turned him into the depressed person he had strived not to be when everyone teased him so relentlessly in middle school before he had moved. He hiccuped a few times and kept his face hidden in Elliot's chest, becoming aware once more that there were people around him who probably thought he was crazy.
Jessie narrowed her eyes at anyone who stared, " What? Never seen anyone have a panic attack before?" Jessie snapped and the people looked away and paid attention to the storm outside. Elliot didn't pay attention to Jessie, his classmates, Ms. Gardner or anything for that matter, he instead paid attention to Whitley, he rubbed the other boys back in comfort, he didn't attempt to get Whitley to stop crying, even if his shirt would be drenched afterwards. Elliot, truth be told, had been scared when Whitley just started having the panic attack, but from his own experiences he knew exactly what to do since he's seen his family do it with him so many times.
Whitley sniffled softly and slowly took his head away from Elliot's chest. He continued to stare at his chest as he let go of his shirt. "Sorry," he whispered, wiping his face and eyes of tears. Whit took a deep breath. I'm sorry. I freaked out again, he signed, not wanting to say any of it out loud. Whit felt so exhausted after his episode. He was also still very anxious, afraid that he would lose it again. Whit reached up and touched his ears, feeling dried blood scabs on the skin beside his ears. He cringed, he would have to clean his ears when he got home. Maybe they would let him go early and take Elliot with him but the storm would have to stop first and he didn't think that would happen.
Elliot just watched Whitely pull away, he watched Whitley touch his ears and he reached out and put Whitley's hands down, he brought Whitley closer and gently placed kisses on both the boys ears. ' Don't you dare apologize for what happened, none of it your fault Whit, none of it at all,' Elliot sighed before placing a kiss on Whitley's forehead. He turned to Jessie, who smiled warmly, " Mr. Height, can Elliot take Whitley to the bathroom to clean his ears?" Jessie asked the teacher. (( just realized I mentioned Ms. Gardner, which is odd since they are in Chemistry class, oh well... a mistake is a mistake anywho... ))
Whitley looked up with wide eyes as Elliot kissed his ears and forehead. It raised so many questions within him that he was scared to ask. He bit his lip hard, confused so badly about everything. Mr. Height looked over at the two young men then out the window. The storm seemed to be calming. "Okay. You two may go. But only go straight there and back. Don't dilly-dally," he told them sternly.
((Sorry its so short.))
(( no worries ))Elliot nodded, he stood up and brushed his pants off, he held out his hands to Whitley to help his friend up so that they could head to the bathroom, because honestly seeing Whitley's ears covered in blood, dried or not, made Elliot want to vomit out his breakfast. Elliot didn't bother looking outside, he always hated seeing the aftermath of a storm like the one they just had, it sickened him how ugly the earth looked because of some naturalistic event. Elliot didn't do anything else but shake his head and wiggled his fingers and smiled warmly down at Whitley, Jessie didn't say a word as she and the rest of the students stood up from the ground and dusted their pants off, phones started going off meaning parents were texting their kids asking if they were okay, and that meant Elliot having to answer his father when he finally got to texting him, which thankfully wasn't yet.
Whitley stood to his feet, avoiding everyone else's eyes. He didn't want to see any looks they may give him. He wanted to take Elliot's hand but he had no clue if he was really offering to hold his hand or if he was just beckoning him to follow him. He started to walk with Elliot to the bathroom. Whitley stayed close to Elliot, feeling so much safe with him. Why? Cause he seemed to care. Elliot didn't just let him fight his panic attacks on his own and tear his ears to shreds or just ignore him like he could have done from the beginning. When he reached the bathroom, Whit took a paper towel and wet it down. He wrung it out and began to clear the blood from his ears and the skin around it. He cringed, trying not to freak himself out again and ignore the pain from wiping away the scabs.
Elliot put his hands down when Whitley didn't take ahold of them, he led the boy out of the classroom and too the bathrooms, he noticed Whitley was walking oddly close to him but he didn't dare ask about it and instead his mind went back to when Whitley he'd started clawing at his ears, Elliot winced and remembered the time he himself had tried to claw at his throat. Elliot opened his mouth but remembered he couldn't speak and immediately shut his mouth as they walked into the bathroom, he stood and watched Whitley clean his ears, ' Just because you're deaf doesn't mean you are any different then someone who can hear, I know this won't help you but I just wanted to come out and say it, also I've been wanting to tell you something else, but I don't know if I should right now, I don't want you to think I'm doing it out of pity,' Elliot said and then he let his hands fall to his side.
Whitley paused in cleaning his ears to fingers on watching Elliott's hands as he "spoke" to him. He then resumed wiping off his ears for a moment, despite the fact that he was curious about what he meant. "What is it that you want to say?" he asked aloud, taking dry paper towel and pat drying his skin, ignoring the little dots of stray blood that appeared. Whit couldn't promise that he wouldn't react to it in such a manner but he would certainly try. But then again, he Elliott to not do something just because he pitied him, he was certain the other boy knew what it was like to a certain degree and wouldn't do to him the very thing most of them despised. ((Just an FYI, I won't be replying much for the next few days because my sister bitched about me and I lost my phone.))
(( noted :] ))Elliot bit his lip slightly before blushing deeply, ' I know we've only known each other for five months and we've been friends for those five months, but I....I...I think I love you, like more then a friend,'Elliot said before letting his hands fall, he then looked down at his feet in shame. Elliot didn't want to look up at Whitley in case his friend rejected him.
(( sorry it's short ))
Whitley stopped, completely caught off guard by what Elliott told him. He was in love with him? He had to be kidding. Whit felt his eyes tear up, he had to be kidding. He sniffled softly. "You can't... You can't love me. I'm broken. Why would anybody want me?" he said out loud with a teary voice as a few tears slipped down his cheeks, turning away. Whit had practically been asking this, wanting it for years but now that he's had our, he was doubting it. And this was by no fault of Elliott's, not at all. It was Whit's trust issues and self confidence issues coming to life, interfering despite the fact that Whit was getting what he wanted and from who wanted it.
Elliot looked up when he heard Whitley, he was going to answer but the light haired boy had turned around and was facing away from him, he bit his lip and turned him around to face him. ' Sometimes I think you forget that you aren't alone,' Elliot signed before he bit his lip, ' I may not seem like it and I may not look like it, but I'm broken too,' Elliot signed sadly, he suddenly stepped away now, ' I shouldn't have said anything, I knew you would reject me the minute I brought it up,' Elliot said before hugging himself and backing himself against a wall.
Whitley realized what he had done and shook his head. He wasn't lying, he wasn't jerking his leg. "No, that's not... That's not right," he said, moving closer to him. Of course he had been so insensitive and thought only about himself, his fatal flaw. 'You mean a lot to me, a lot. I'm just to fucking selfish and thought about myself first before you,' he admitted. 'I think... I know, I'm in love with you. I really am. Maybe-maybe we can be broken together,' Whit finished signing before pulling Elliott's arms away from himself and replacing them with his own, resting his head on his shoulder. He prayed to God Elliott wasn't too upset with him and pushed him away. Whitley hadn't meant to upset him.
Elliot hadn't really expected to hear Whitley or see him sign, but when he felt the other boys arms around him instead of his own, he immediately wrapped his own around Whitley, he had tears in his eyes, he couldnt believe Whitley loved him back, ever since he first realized he loved the light haired kid, that was his only wish. Elliot buried his face into Whitley's shoulder, he closed his eyes and just contently stood here hugging Whitley.
Whitley held his new boyfriend close. This certainly wasn't how he had expected it to happen. He hadn't thought that Elliot would admit he loved him in a school bathroom after a raging storm and one of Whit's panic attacks. But he was happy it happened at all. He turned his head and kissed Elliot's hair, giving him a light squeeze before slowly letting go. "C'mon. Let's go before we get in trouble," he prompted, releasing Elliot but taking his hand as soon as he could, lacing his fingers with his.
Elliot opened his mouth to reply but sighed softly instead remembering that he couldn't speak and Whitley couldn't hear, he bit his lip and gave Whitley's hand a squeeze so that he himself didn't start having a panic attack. ' Yeah, okay let's go, are you alright now?' Elliot said with one hand, he had a worried expression on his face as he asked the question and be begun to lead Whitley out of the bathroom and into the hallways.
Whitley nodded slight and gave him a reassuring smile. 'Yeah, I'm okay. The storm appears to be reduced to rain. I'll be okay,' he signed to Elliot, reinforcing his assurance. He felt a little giddy at the moment. Whit had a boyfriend, something he had never thought would happen. And while the two themselves were broken and not able to be repaired, he felt like they made a while together, no matter how cheesy that sounded. Elliot was his ears and Whitley was his mouth, it was perfect.
(( THE FEELS ))Elliot smiled happily, ' I used to love storms you know, until my father had a panic attack and ended up crying into my chest when I was seven, from that point I began to loathe storms, thankfully my brothers stay home during stormy days just to take care of my dad when I'm not there, sorry about rambling....' Elliot signed to Whitley before he dropped his hand, ' It was just related to what we were talking about and...well...yeah,' Elliot added before once again squeezing Whitley's hand, his eyes were focused on the hallway, trying to find something to keep himself calm. Elliot was happy that he finally had a boyfriend and he couldn't wait to tell Jessie, she'd go crazy and start screaming that her OTP finally got together and what not, he just hoped Jessie didn't hug them like crazy, last time it happened Elliot couldn't breathe for a full fifteen minutes. Elliot bit his lip and decided to talk to Whitley about his own experiences with panic attacks so that the light haired boy knew what to expect when it came up, ' Whittie?' Elliot asked as they almost neared the chemistry classroom.
Whitley watched his hand as he signed to him but he wasn't really sure what to say back. He didn't know how to respond to him telling him about his father. But when he signed his name he stopped for a moment before realizing that they had to keep going. "Yeah?" he responded aloud but didn't expect an answer right away as they reached the classroom. He followed Elliot inside. Whit watched the teacher, but like always, couldn't make out what he was saying. He looked to Elliot for guidance and realized he was still holding his hand. Whitley wondered if Elliot wanted him to let go but until he made it obvious he did, he would continue to do so.
Elliot bit his lip as they entered, he didn't care if anyone saw them, if they didn't like their relationship they could shove a stick up their ass and complain about it, he continued biting his lip as they made their way to their seats, ' I'm not glorifying panic attacks and I'm not trying to brag, but my panic attacks are way worse, I freak out when the word essay or summative speak assessments are said out loud, I freak out when people out on the streets look at me weirdly because I can't speak, I freak out when my friends at school, stare at me when I sign to Jessie and they can't understand me, when I start freaking out, my breathing becomes so slow that it looks like I'm not breathing, my eyes become watery so much that I can't even see a speck in front of me, my eyes start ringing so loudly that I can't help but claw at my ears like a rabid Animal, and then my throats starts to close and I start scaring myself, I start clawing at my throat until it bleeds and bleeds, it scares everyone and I just wanted you to know what happens so that you aren't scared when it does,' Elliot explained, taking his hand away to explain the entire thing, but as soon as he finished, he felt eyes on him and that wasn't helping him at all, Jessie noticed, ' CALM HIM DOWN! QUICK!' Jessie warned with a worried expression as Elliot began breathing irregularly.
Whit watched his hands as they sat down and his brow creased, growing increasingly concerned. When he saw Jessie almost freaking out, he looked around the room then Elliot. "Its okay. It's okay," Whit repeated softly, almost in a mantra as he directed his eyes back to him and not those staring at them. People began to figure out what was happening and looked around, trying to ignore it. Whitley gently took both of Elliot's hands into his, ready to tighten his grip and keep his hands away from his throat at any moment. "Look at me. Its okay," Whitley said, reaching up and brushing his hair off his forehead. He leaned forward to completely have his attention, to encompass his entire view.
Elliot heard and saw Whitley, he wanted to speak, he wanted to scream that it wasn't his fault, he wanted to yell at the top of his lungs that he wasn't the fault for his disability, he just stared at Whitley, taking in all his features, he reached out and gently touched Whitley's ears, he began drawing his thumb across the top and the bottom of Whitley's ears. He didn't bother to use his hands to speak as he noticed everyone was looking away from him, it calmed him down slightly but he didn't bother to stop drawing his thumb up and down the outside of Whitley's ears. ' You're ears are beautiful,' Elliot said finally after calming down, he used both hands and smiled assuringly at Whitley, telling him he was he was okay now, he then looked to the Teacher, waiting to hear what they missed, he acted as if nothing happened, which always happened after a near panic attack. Elliot put a hand on his throat though and rubbed his hand up and down, he let out a sad sigh and wished he could speak, doctors had said when Elliot was little that perhaps something good would happen and doctors would be able to find a cure for little Elliot, Elliot liked to believe that when he is in his twenties that some doctor would actually find a cure. Jessie just stared at Elliot, " I hate when he does that, he scares everyone and then acts like nothing happened! Why?" Jessie muttered to herself, " He's afraid, brave people like him deserve to be afraid, especially since he can't voice out his fears like his boyfriend can," a boy said from across the three friends.
Whitley let Elliot touch his ears and found it less triggering than touching them himself but he would have done anything if someone told him that it would help him calm down. "Thank you," he replied softly. He took one of Elliot's hands as he looked away towards the teacher and in that moment, Whit became confused why he just brushed his panic attack like it had never happened but he understood that everyone had different ways of dealing with things, even if they weren't the best. Whit was completely unaware of what people were saying around him and that would always be a general way that he would feel lacking when it came to protecting his new boyfriend. He would never be able to step any nasty words aimed at him because he couldn't hear them say them. Whitley looked up at the clock hanging above the classroom door. They only had fifteen more minutes before school let out and they could both leave the pit that was school and everything that came along with it.
Jessie only glared at the person but realized how right the person was, she smiled warmly suddenly, she tapped Whitley on the shoulder to get his attention and waiting until she got it she smiled widely. ' You are so texting me the details later,' Jessie sighed before focusing back on what she and the person had been working on before alongside the rest of the class. Elliot just shrugged when the teacher said nothing and ignored him, he instead turned to the kid behind him who, with Jessie's help was able to gladly tell Elliot what the two had missed and even offered the boys his notes. Elliot mouthed the words thank you and thankfully the kid understood, " No problem, I do anything for people who aren't afraid to be who they are," the kid said before turning around and working on whatever. Elliot smiled and turned to Whitley, ' Apparently all we missed was some notes and the worksheet, which I'm pretty sure Jessie already has for us, but we can do that at my house, if you're okay with going their after school today,' Elliot told Whitley. (( just a reminder, if you don't like anything I say then don't be afraid to tell me :] ))
Whitley looked back at Jessie when she tapped him on the shoulder and blushed lightly but nodded anyways, knowing what she meant for him to tell her. He then looked back over at Elliot and just waited until he was done talking with Jessie and another kid he didn't know. 'Yeah, that's okay. I'll just text my mom as soon as we get out of class. I don't think she will mind,' he signed back to him. 'Plus I would get to spend time with you,' Whitley signed shyly, giving him a bashful smile as he looked over at him. He was so excited that he could tell his mom that he had a boyfriend and that it was someone that cared for him and that he cared for. Elliot wasn't just some boy that he would date for a few months and then breakup wth him, at least, he certainly hoped that he wasn't that type of boyfriend. Whitley was loved Elliot, it would break him and ruin his heart for good.
Elliot gave a grin and nodded as an answer, he opened the other kids notebook he had and turned to the notes so that he and Whitley could copy them down for later, yet he didn't actually believe they would be working on worksheets later. Elliot bit his lip wondering how his family will react to Whitley becoming his boyfriend, he groaned suddenly at the thought and shook his head not wanting to focus on that. Instead Elliot found himself focusing in Whitley and his beautiful wonderful ears, he wanted to reach other and touch the smooth skin that wrapped around the delicate bones and membrane that made up the outer part of the ear, he bit his lip and kept one hand holding his pencil and he kept the other hand doing something like playing with a lose string on his sweater,
Whitley bounced his legs restlessly as he waited for the bell to ring. He just wanted to get out of there with Elliot, go to his house, and spend time with him. When the bell rang, Whitley obviously didn't notice it at first but when he saw that everyone was putting their things away and the teacher had stopped, well, teaching, he started to do the same. When he was done and he had everything put away, Whitley stood and waited for Elliot. ((Sorry its short.))
(( no worries ))Elliot didn't hear the bell ring at first, it took him a moment to realize it until he saw Whitley waiting for him, he got up and handed the kid his notebook back having to have already copied down all the notes, Jessie gave him their— his and Whitley's — worksheets, he put them into his bag neatly along with his notebook. He stretched a little bit and cracked his fingers because they were stiff, he looked to Whitley and smiled, he offer lighter haired boy his hand as everyone began leaving the classroom.
Whitley took Elliot's hand and laced their fingers. "Let's go," he said with a smile. He took his phone out with his other hand as they began to walk and texted his mom, telling her that he would be going over to Elliot's house straight from school. "Are you driving or is your brother coming to pick us up?" Whitley asked as his phone pinged at his mother's response. A quick check of the phone showed that she was fine with him going over so long as he was back by the afternoon the next day, since it was Friday.
' My father actually wanted to pick me up today so he'll be picking us up, I'm sure he'll be fine with you coming over, you practically live there anyways' Elliot answered with a smile, he saw kids staring at them and he became self conscious again and moved closer to Whitley. He bit his lip as he looked down at his shoes instead now, he didn't bother looking up when his name was called by someone, Elliot could hear that it wasn't Jessie, but he still didn't want to know who was calling his name.
Whitley smiled and chuckled softly. When he saw that Elliot began to act shy and timid, he frowned lightly. "Elliot.." he started out loud. 'What's wrong?' Whitley signed with his free hand after putting away his phone. He looked around them but he didn't see anything that he thought would upset Elliot but he also couldn't hear anything that might upset him. Whit tugged softly on his hand to get his attention and gave him an assuring smile.
