bondsofsuffering | limelight

For getting upset earlier.

[ breathes out and answers more slowly after that, weighing his words ]

I know you thought it was — justified, or whatever. But it wasn't right. You guys were in an impossible situation. There was no right or wrong answer. You had no way of knowing that we can't die on this ship for real. And you had no way of knowing what was happening to me. I shouldn't have made it sound like the choice was either come back for me, or don't. It was never that simple.

You had to pick what you could live with. And even though I wish it'd ended differently, I'm really glad you did. I'm glad you get to know that you tried everything you could. I'm glad you don't have to live with killing someone and wondering if it could've gone differently. And I know you made the best choice you could, 'cause you're Snow and you're the smartest and kindest person I've ever met. No one could've figured it out any better than you did. It's not your fault that the situation was rigged.

I don't want you to think I'm angry with you about any of that, 'cause I'm not. And I don't want you to think you're going to have to make choices based on — like, what's going to upset me or not. You've always been there for me. But I'm here for you too, you know? Now and always.

[...Slowly setting down the sandwich again.]

Aster...

[-And then getting up to ruffle his hair.]

Well, I already knew most of that. But it's nice getting to hear it straight from you.

[ HALF-HEARTEDLY SWATS AT HIS HAND ]

One of these days, I'm actually going to surprise you.

[Laughing!]

-It's still important, I think. Saying it clearly - or getting it off your chest, too.

Thanks for making sure I knew, Aster. ...And, I'm glad you had some time to think over the decision we made, too.

[ HUFFS ]

...yeah. I'm sorry I didn't do more of that in the first place.

I'll always be around to listen next time too, you know. You aren't nearly scary enough to chase me away.

[ making a face again ]

I hope not, 'cause I meant it about needing you. But it's also...

[ there are things you can simply get away with saying to cinth that you cannot to snow, and "i was too weak but i won't be now" is one of them ]

...I'm here to listen to you too, you know? Whatever you're dealing with. Don't think I've been too reliable on that front, but I'm working on it.

Hmmm...

[THINKINGFACE.]

I guess there was something that bothered me a little recently...

[ whoa instant success ]

There was?

Mmhm.

You and Cinth snuck out the other day, didn't you? What happened?

[Look. You knew this was coming.]

[ HE ACTUALLY FORGOT

his expression journey very "we what?" and then "oh yeah that" ]

Oh. We just talked out in the hallway a little bit. Nothing huge.

Edited 2024-10-21 17:55 (UTC)