[He does recognize she's forcing herself to be that cheerful about it, but he doesn't really understand why. Did he make her feel guilty with his reaction? He doubts it, and even if he had he doubts Hayley would be the kind of person to force herself into social situations out of misplaced guilt.]
To be honest I'm hardly a chef, so you've already learned most of what I could teach you. Now you only have to practice it.
If Ma were here she'd have a lot more recipes for you but alas.
[He fishes for the right words, the best way to say what happened to her. Eventually he realizes there isn't.] You died. You got murdered, and you have been trying to make peace with that these past weeks.
I understand that, as much as anyone who hasn't gone through it can. Take your time, just- don't fake, with me? You really don't have to.
[She frowns. Of course she has to fake with him. She's half-faking right now. Hayley doesn't know how not to fake. Instead of admitting it quite so plainly, she feigns an embarrassed and weak smile.]
I know. And it's alright- if you can't, I mean. Some people just don't like letting other people know what they are thinking and I am not going to take it personally.
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To be honest I'm hardly a chef, so you've already learned most of what I could teach you. Now you only have to practice it.
If Ma were here she'd have a lot more recipes for you but alas.
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Thanks! You did way more than most people would have. Maybe I'll just have to cook dinner for you two soon, to make up for it.
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Is everything alright?
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Yeah, it's okay. Well, as okay as it gets with the whole.. [Murder thing.] everything.
[There's a pause, then she play frowns, realizing she should explain.] I know things with me aren't really.. easy, but I'm trying, Clark.
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[He fishes for the right words, the best way to say what happened to her. Eventually he realizes there isn't.] You died. You got murdered, and you have been trying to make peace with that these past weeks.
I understand that, as much as anyone who hasn't gone through it can. Take your time, just- don't fake, with me? You really don't have to.
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I'll try not to, but I don't know if I can.
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But just know you really don't have to.
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[Her voice conveys the skepticism she feels, but it's friendly instead of entirely dismissive.]