[It takes him an eternity, but it comes to him, finally, through the conviction that he deserves this: that for once, perhaps that not-good-enough feeling isn't his. If this is her place, it might be hers, and that. Well, he knows for a fact it's wrong]

[He toggles on Buddy Bond, if it's there for him to use. Even if it isn't, he presses out with the conviction - a single success, bracketed by failures - that although this might be right for him, is right for him, it's wrong, if it's hers. It doesn't belong here]

[She doesn't deserve it here]