In my WIP I have this scene where the MC and a couple 2ndary characters sit down and really bond, but I have a couple characters who are closed books on their experiences. The MC gets the gist that their backstory wasn't peaches and cream. I have this one in particular where the MC comments on his scars and he kinda locks himself inside. I never actually plan on giving out that information on why he's so scarred.
I'm at this point where the MC and a 2ndary character are going to get pretty close, but it won't be the tragic backstory character. I could change it, I'd just have to reconsider a few things.
My question is, does it matter if his history is never clarified? He's going to play a small part later on, but not huge. As a reader, do you expect his history to be made clear if it was brought to your attention? Or is just knowing he has a dark past good enough?
I'm at this point where the MC and a 2ndary character are going to get pretty close, but it won't be the tragic backstory character. I could change it, I'd just have to reconsider a few things.
My question is, does it matter if his history is never clarified? He's going to play a small part later on, but not huge. As a reader, do you expect his history to be made clear if it was brought to your attention? Or is just knowing he has a dark past good enough?