[ he swore gently under his breath and came 'round to a stop of his own. ] Lass?

[ but the look on her face! no -- he isn't quite close enough to see the tears but he respects her emotional privacy enough to not need to see them. he falls to one knee and busies himself in reclaiming the rabbit's limp, soft-furred body. his fingers wrap 'round its neck and...

poor girl. sharpe breathes deep and pushes back up to his not inconsiderable six feet of height, offering the rabbit all over again.

and keeping his eyes averted. ]

That's a bloody shame, Miss Everdeen. [ he's not certain what else he could say, except: ] You're welcome to cook for me whenever you like. I won't complain. Ain't got no one here, either. Not from home. Nor anyone I...

Not yet, at least.