Torture

It is known by the seers of the void that they will stop at nothing to move together through the fight. Though the chances spit on their hope, they do not hinder the being of Truth. Appeasing mind with a word stream does nothing for the trapped emotions, which sizzle invisibly and pull the strings within, starkening the yearning void inside. Fix me or kill me, he feels. The middle ground is torture.

Smother

Who can smother
better
than a mother
?

Overlap

Avoidance overlaps with fear, but does not require it.

Politeness

Avoidance of others' displeasure.