It was a good question. Frankly, Gansey didn't even fully understand, himself. The Phantom had made it clear that he would not allow him to return home.
But... the Phantom had done nothing cruel. The Phantom had cooked for him. Cared for him. Not even his parents—...
They often saddled him off on nurses and teachers as he was growing up. Now, they wondered why he didn't stay with them or adhere to their desires. His parents had never expressed as much concern for him as the Phantom had, and he'd been with his captor for... perhaps two days?
Despite everything, he couldn't help but to think that the man was kind. Even in all of his loneliness. And while Gansey was always surrounded by people... he'd been lonely, too.
"I understand," he said, slowly, still studying the Phantom. "You may not believe me. I'm sure it sounds preposterous, me, understanding loneliness and pain. But I do. Quite vividly, in fact." It was difficult to admit. "It hurts. Even when things dull with time, when you think you can ignore it or pretend like it isn't there. It always hurts."
Bowing his head and closing his eyes, he sighed, not sure if he was expressing himself right. The Phantom was going to think he was a fool.
"When you're not alone, when you're with someone who understands and cares, maybe it can heal. I'd hope I could help ease your loneliness. Your pain."
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It was a good question. Frankly, Gansey didn't even fully understand, himself. The Phantom had made it clear that he would not allow him to return home.
But... the Phantom had done nothing cruel. The Phantom had cooked for him. Cared for him. Not even his parents—...
They often saddled him off on nurses and teachers as he was growing up. Now, they wondered why he didn't stay with them or adhere to their desires. His parents had never expressed as much concern for him as the Phantom had, and he'd been with his captor for... perhaps two days?
Despite everything, he couldn't help but to think that the man was kind. Even in all of his loneliness. And while Gansey was always surrounded by people... he'd been lonely, too.
"I understand," he said, slowly, still studying the Phantom. "You may not believe me. I'm sure it sounds preposterous, me, understanding loneliness and pain. But I do. Quite vividly, in fact." It was difficult to admit. "It hurts. Even when things dull with time, when you think you can ignore it or pretend like it isn't there. It always hurts."
Bowing his head and closing his eyes, he sighed, not sure if he was expressing himself right. The Phantom was going to think he was a fool.
"When you're not alone, when you're with someone who understands and cares, maybe it can heal. I'd hope I could help ease your loneliness. Your pain."