his tongue was callused by ridges of silver; his irises were plated by that of steel. the gears turned round and round within his temples, grating and grinding against each other with heavy thought.

        and oh, he was sure she could see them.
        and my, did he hate the fact that she did.

        being held under a microscope, being read like an insipid file…

        “—— Enough.” abruptly, he breaks the silence.