"But that's just it. You don't have her anymore, but you're still standing," Bleddyn pointed out stubbornly."You don't know how many times I've fallen and couldn't get back up. I've always relied on my mother. If it weren't for her I would never have gotten up." He sighed softly, his face falling into a even deeper frown. "I am weak. It's just the way it is. I can pretend to be the strong one but it only lasts so long." He lifted his hand from her shoulder, pushing a strand of hair away from her lowered face gently. "Thanks for thinking that though."
She froze as his fingers touched her face; for some reason, it was the most ticklish thing ever. It took everything she had to stifle an involuntary giggle and inch away slowly.
After having safely relocated her face a good foot farther along the countertop, she looked back at him through slitted eyes. "I think you're selling yourself short, but be like that if you want."