Work Text:
Lars slammed the book down on the table, a bit more forcefully than he had intended to, immediately regretting it.
“What’s the matter, dear?” Elizabeth asked, looking up from her newspaper.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. It’s nothing. Not the book, anyway. I shouldn’t take out my frustration on this book.”
“What is it, then?”
“It was a line in the book-”
“What book?”
“A novel by Sir Walter Scott, it doesn’t matter. But I just started thinking about it–’blood is thicker than water’--and it made me angry.”
Elizabeth walked over and took his hand. “Of course that would upset you. I know you try not to think about it.”
Lars patted her hand on top of his. “I still shouldn’t let it upset me. I know I shouldn’t. It’s my own life, and I can make choices.”
“You have made choices,” Elizabeth reminded him. “And I don’t believe you have it in you to make the wrong choices.”
“I do hope that you’re right,” Lars sighed.
Elizabeth picked up the book from the table, looking at it.
“It’s fine,” she declared. “A small ding on one corner, but I don’t see any real damage.”
“That’s good,” Lars smiled. “I borrowed it from a friend in the city, and I’d have to replace it if I really damaged it.”