[And she'd gotten used to it on her end.]

[At least...until now.]

Then tell me. Please. [She peered up at him, still slightly hurt, though not as much now that he'd admitted the age difference didn't bother him either. Only...that wasn't the whole issue, was it?] I want to understand.

Five years ago...

[Or however long ago for you, she thought to amend, but decided not to.]

...a lot had happened since then as well. And you were able to understand. What could be harder than what I'd put you through?