[ Roland's hands finally stop moving, just resting against Inigo's body in a gentle embrace. He swallows thickly, and although he remains motionless, his heart and mind run relentlessly into another corner of his darkness, his pain. Nothing about what Inigo says should send him down the rabbit hole, but it does because he's heard it before, again, like a past destined to repeat itself.
A woman's voice drawls on, an edge of anxiety, colored by love she doesn't know how else to express. 'Please, just...take a weekend off. He's performing for the other kids. It's a sock puppet show of his favorite story.'
If he seems to be hugging Inigo tighter, more firmer now, Roland doesn't notice it. He blinks, and again another voice ghosts against his ear, calling him further and further in. A young boy, with no business sounding as happy as he did when he says, 'I watched you on TV last night, daddy! You looked really cool. You must be...really busy, huh? That's okay. The nurses tucked me in and your head of security even came to give me a stuffed animal! You picked it out, he said!'
He exhales shakily, but does his best so that he doesn't stir Inigo too much. Doesn't show him that he's struggling, harder than ever the more he travels away from the light. ]
Thank you. [ Roland whispers, his head angling down a little more so he can see the top of Inigo's hair. ] You're...too kind to me, pup. What you give me, is enough. [ 'But I never deserved any of it. The votes. The family I couldn't save. And now...This too.'
There's nothing that could solve Roland's perpetual fatigue; the tiredness that always lingers behind his stern gaze. Not until he knows. Not until he can save.
Roland bites the inside of his cheeks, debating on something. Thinking hard as he loosens his hold on the boy in his arms, just enough so there's little restraint. Then, after his silent deliberation, he speaks again. Unlike Inigo, Roland talks wide awake, aware. But weakening. Wanting to rest the way Inigo wishes for him, but can't. Shouldn't. Never. ]
Tell me something about you that I don't already know. Anything at all. [ Roland attempts a smile, gaze returning to stare at the drab mattress hovering above them. The tapping motions against Inigo resume. ] Even something silly.
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A woman's voice drawls on, an edge of anxiety, colored by love she doesn't know how else to express. 'Please, just...take a weekend off. He's performing for the other kids. It's a sock puppet show of his favorite story.'
If he seems to be hugging Inigo tighter, more firmer now, Roland doesn't notice it. He blinks, and again another voice ghosts against his ear, calling him further and further in. A young boy, with no business sounding as happy as he did when he says, 'I watched you on TV last night, daddy! You looked really cool. You must be...really busy, huh? That's okay. The nurses tucked me in and your head of security even came to give me a stuffed animal! You picked it out, he said!'
He exhales shakily, but does his best so that he doesn't stir Inigo too much. Doesn't show him that he's struggling, harder than ever the more he travels away from the light. ]
Thank you. [ Roland whispers, his head angling down a little more so he can see the top of Inigo's hair. ] You're...too kind to me, pup. What you give me, is enough. [ 'But I never deserved any of it. The votes. The family I couldn't save. And now...This too.'
There's nothing that could solve Roland's perpetual fatigue; the tiredness that always lingers behind his stern gaze. Not until he knows. Not until he can save.
Roland bites the inside of his cheeks, debating on something. Thinking hard as he loosens his hold on the boy in his arms, just enough so there's little restraint. Then, after his silent deliberation, he speaks again. Unlike Inigo, Roland talks wide awake, aware. But weakening. Wanting to rest the way Inigo wishes for him, but can't. Shouldn't. Never. ]
Tell me something about you that I don't already know. Anything at all. [ Roland attempts a smile, gaze returning to stare at the drab mattress hovering above them. The tapping motions against Inigo resume. ] Even something silly.