[Doppio regrets asking even before the answer comes. The Boss's tension is palpable, and even with explicit permission he feels he has crossed a line he shouldn't have. The feeling only grows as Doppio notes that he's watching him, that he's witnessing the Boss's anxiety like it's nothing, and he's ready to apologise, to take it back.
Then he hears the answer. Then the answer keeps going. Then it seats itself in his mind, cozily, with ample space to etch itself into his memory.
He knew it. He shouldn't have asked a thing. Now the Boss has been forced to give up yet another fragment of the past he fought so hard to bury, and Doppio has attained yet more knowledge he never needed against his will, except now it's entirely his fault.]
I'm sorry! Boss, I-I'm so sorry. Stop!... Stop.
[How does he make up for this? How can he punish himself--]
... Ask me something instead! So we're even!
[He blurts it out on impulse; he isn't sure it makes any sense. But somebody needs to pay for this, and he isn't about to cut off the Boss's tongue, and...]
no subject
Then he hears the answer. Then the answer keeps going. Then it seats itself in his mind, cozily, with ample space to etch itself into his memory.
He knew it. He shouldn't have asked a thing. Now the Boss has been forced to give up yet another fragment of the past he fought so hard to bury, and Doppio has attained yet more knowledge he never needed against his will, except now it's entirely his fault.]
I'm sorry! Boss, I-I'm so sorry. Stop!... Stop.
[How does he make up for this? How can he punish himself--]
... Ask me something instead! So we're even!
[He blurts it out on impulse; he isn't sure it makes any sense. But somebody needs to pay for this, and he isn't about to cut off the Boss's tongue, and...]
I-I'm so sorry. I'm sorry...