"I don't hate him," he repeats, before realising she may take that in the worst possible way. "Or you. Or anyone."

He lowers himself down to wrap his arms around Indrik. He's maybe the only person on campus who could get his limbs the whole way around that fat belly.

"I'm... Just not a good person," he confesses quietly into Indrik's mane, suddenly realising that he's letting some of that horror show that is his mind out in public. He shakes his head as he lets go. "If you possess some sort of empathic ability, I'll understand if you don't want to see me again. No one should feel what I do."