Private Finished New Friendship & A Cherry on Top

Cosette flinched a bit when Levina mentioned his father was abusive, and he didn't bother covering the concerned and sad expression that came over her face. Because even if Levina said it like a fact that didn't make it any less despicable and sad, and it may have been even worse that Levina said it so casually. That meant she was used to abuse, which wasn't good on any level. Cosette had once gotten used to abuse and it had been very, very wrong. She had only realized it after being freed.

"I'm so sorry, Levina."
Cosette said with a quiet and soft voice, and though she didn't cry Cosette's eyes got a bit wet. She didn't look at Levina with pity, rather she looked at her with empathy, with eyes that knew her suffering at least to some extent.

Cosette had completely forgotten about the "no apologizing" rule, and even if she had remembered she couldn't help herself. Cosette's heart went out to Levina, even if it wouldn't technically help in any way. Cosette had been the target of plenty of pity in her life and she knew it made her only feel small and weak in the end. But...having someone who understood always helped. At least Cosette felt that way.
Levina tried very hard to make Cosette feel better, she even tried to joke, and Cosette chuckled a little at the funny accent the woman spoke with.

"It just came out, forgive me. But...my heart aches for you, I unfortunately cannot do anything to that."
Cosette answered and gave Levina a small, weak smile. She still wasn't crying, Cosette might've been an emotional person but she knew how to save her tears for when they mattered the most.
"I promise I will do my best to not cry."

"If you wish to tell me about your past I'll gladly listen. I'm certain you wouldn't do or say anything you don't want to. However, I still wish to say that you should only share if you feel comfortable with it."
Cosette said, and her words were firm. Because she had a feeling that Levina's past wouldn't be anything pleasant, and she wanted Levina to feel safe and comfortable with sharing if she did. Cosette wanted Levina to know that she was safe with Cosette.

Levina felt safe, and so she shared. She shared a story of herself that made Cosette's heart break. Cosette had promised that she wouldn't cry, and she didn't, but in her mind Cosette wept for Levina.
Carefully Cosette moved her chair so she wasn't sitting across from Levina but rather next to her. Cosette didn't touch Levina and didn't move too close, but she wanted to be beside her both in spirit and body in case Levina needed support. Because even if Levina said she wasn't "weak" anymore, that she wouldn't let it happen again, it had happened and it had left a mark. A mark that would never fade, and it would always ache.

"Thank you, Levina."
Cosette said with a sorrowful yet such a gentle, grateful smile. This thank you was for both sharing the story, and the concern Levina felt towards Cosette. Which only made it that more sorrowful, that the things Levina feared would happen had already happened. Oh, if only Levina knew that she was already too late...
"You are a strong person, I can see it. You probably do not need me to tell you, but you have truly grown strong over you adversities. And I feel so much admiration towards you for that."
Cosette meant every single word with all her heart, and her eyes held bottomless concern and empathy but also admiration. Levina wasn't okay, Cosette was almost certain of that, but the way Levina was so self-assured despite her hardships was...amazing.

Cosette managed not to flinch when Levina snapped at her, since she had expected for that to be one possible reaction. And Cosette was used to being snapped at, it had happened a lot with...with Ulric. So, Cosette knew to figuratively back away from the subject, not to push. Levina had been too vulnerable for too long and she was now pulling back as well, and Cosette let her.

"Certainly, I wouldn't want you to exhaust yourself."
Cosette agreed with a small smile, but she didn't move her chair away. She still sat next to Levina, a comfortable distance away.
"If you wish I can share some tales from my teenage years. There are many gems among them."
Cosette suggested with a chuckle.

"I assure you, there won't be a shortage of those."
Cosette answered with a giggle. Her heart and mind was still burdened with her worry for Levina, her past and her possible present. Levina really did seem like a strong person, but abuse tended to stick. Cosette had learned that when she'd gone to therapy. Abuse victims unconsciously seek relationships with abuse, physical or emotional. That was one reason why Cosette had avoided further romantic relationships, she was afraid of the abuse repeating itself. But friendships were different, and Levina was now Cosette's friend and a fellow abuse victim. And Cosette wanted to know if Levina was truly safe, and help her.
But for now, Cosette would share embarrassing funny stories and let them both unwind from that emotionally loaded moment.

"Once I was out with my friends-"
Cosette started her first story, a story of how she hadn't known what a plane was and had embarrassed herself. And Cosette shared few similar stories of herself discovering the human society, making herself and hopefully Levina laugh. And she kept sharing until both women had to return tp their jobs. Cosette worked the rest of the day with a smile, but once she got back home she went to sleep with a concerned frown.