[ wash notes that tension -- he won't take it personally. honestly, he'd probably react the same way if south had nudged him a little without him being prepared for it first. he just -- isn't sure what to do here, in multiple ways. over the years he's learned, by necessity, to be kind of a care taker, to be good at helping people through stuff and talking things out, but this is south, and that makes it stranger for many, many reasons.

he knows how important it is to listen, at least. especially with that sigh, the tone of her voice, and those specific words: barely feeling like a person. that's not something said lightly, and just from everything about her body language and her voice, he knows how much of a weight that has to be. he's quiet, for a few moments. ]

I remember how you used to fight. They always drilled you together, too, but whenever I saw you on your own -- I know that was always a thing for you. Got used to relying on always having someone there. [ a slight shrug. ] I didn't get any of that, from our spar just now.

[ it feels a little strange trying to give her assurances when he feels like he still doesn't know her all that well at all. it'd be easy to give empty platitudes, but wash doesn't want to do that, and that's one concrete observation he can give. another silence, this one a little longer, he stays leaned back against the wall, watching her. ]

I know it's really not the same, but. I think I can relate.

[ it's an offer, gentle, subtle. she's sharing a lot and talking about herself and how she feels and he can tell it's -- more than she would normally say. if she wants to go on talking, he'll keep listening and hearing her out, but if she wants to take that offer, wash can just talk about himself for a bit, instead. ]