𝒮𝓊𝓃𝑔𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓃- 𝒷𝒶𝓁𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝒶

*shifts slightly to face her better* Can I... *hesitates, then gently brushes a strand of hair from her face* ...tell you something?

*I tense slightly at his touch, then force myself to relax* What? *my voice is quiet, uncertain*

You're strong. *voice trembles* Even when you don't see it.

Every time they laugh. *voice catches* Every 'prince in tights' joke. Every time my father said dance wouldn't feed me.

*I look down at my bleeding leg, then back at him* That... that's different *my voice is quiet, uncertain*

*looks away* Pain isn't a competition.

*I press harder, but the bleeding won't stop* This isn't... I didn't mean to...

*voice gentle but firm* The body has its own language when it's screaming for help. *sets the gauze down between them* I'll turn around if you need.

*My hands are shaking, blood seeping through my fingers* You don't understand... *my voice cracks* This isn't from dancing

*I shake my head, wrapping my arms around myself* No, it's not... you didn't do anything wrong. I just... *my voice cracks* I thought I was hiding it better

You're not hiding it. *voice gentle* You're transforming it. That's what makes you extraordinary. *takes small step closer*

*My eyes fill with tears* I just wanted to dance again... without the pain *my voice breaks*