allstars | pc catchall | kaworu

[halians]

somewhere taair is feeling very stressed and he has no idea why

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[peripheries]

[he drinks. It kind of hurts but he doesn't want to add to anyone's stress today. He's caused enough problems.

He sighs.]

You were right. I just feel numb.

[halians]

[ if he shows any sign of it hurting strohl will come and make sure he doesn't like. chug it. and once he's satisfied he's had enough, he sits on the edge of the bed, taking the bottle and putting it down. ]

Yeah. [ there's a little smile - half of one, humourless. ] Learned that one from experience, unfortunately.

What's going through your head?

[peripheries]

I... wanted to make him proud. I feel like maybe I just made him worry.

[he reaches down to touch his abdomen where the crystal impaled him. There's gross black lines pulsating out from it.]

Or disappointed.

[halians]

[ baby. he gets that, too. it was one of the many thoughts in the lack of sleep he got the night before, too. did i make them proud?

strohl watches him do this with no short measure of worry on his own face - he's quiet for a moment. ]

...He was going to worry no matter what. Whether it was you in there, or you watching. Surviving, or not. 's what it means to care about someone.

[peripheries]

I suppose you're right. It wouldn't have made a difference to me either when it comes to him.

[His hands are still healing from watching Anders execute Boothill the last week. He'd honestly forgotten about them. Kaworu sits up, like he's debating if he can stand.]

...Thank you. I know you didn't ask for the responsibility. of looking after me.

[halians]

[ that puts a smile on his face - a little soft, tired, but still there and he shakes his head, ducking down so they can lock eyes. everything strohl says is something said with conviction, and this is no exception. ]

Listen. A noble's duty is to protect his people. As far as I am concerned, that includes you, Kaworu. From the moment you moped into our lounge last Sunday. [ lightly teasing, there, but despite the levity, he's very serious. ] As much as Anders was - is - you are, too.

So it's hardly anything you need thank me for, nor is it anything I consider hard to bear. Alright?

[peripheries]

[Where did that period come from... He keeps Strohl's gaze before dropping it and pouting a little.]

I didn't mope... Just worried. [He sits up, groaning a little.]

I'm glad you were all so fond of him. I'm really just benefiting from how good he is at dealing with people.

[A little wistful. It's clear this is something about Anders that he admires greatly.]