[ He flinches at that – like a jab to the gut coming in from low and to the side. A muscle in his jaw jumps as he clenches his teeth, gaze quickly darting down to his food. She's right to toss out that barb, obviously. And because he's still grappling with the guilt of what a fucking mess he had been – still is, if he's entirely honest (which he isn't) – he makes no effort to defend himself.
He takes a deep breath to steady himself. When he speaks again, it's slightly more subdued than before, ]
no subject
He takes a deep breath to steady himself. When he speaks again, it's slightly more subdued than before, ]
Now's a good time to learn.