Zavien
Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times
Zuriel's gentle touch was like being immersed in a pool of warm water that filled the holes left by his wounds. Muscles relaxed as more of the pain left him. A tight breath released from his lungs and he met the unicorn's eyes with undampened gratitude. "Thank you." A semblance of strength had returned to give his words depth. He'd remember to bring unicorn treats (whatever those may be) next time.
Pleased to hear Evie would know of her achievement, Zavien nodded his head. It didn't hurt as much this time, but he moved slowly just to be sure. And as he shifted gently in the bed, the confirmation that Soh was on the mend helped ease lingering tensions. "I'm glad she's doing better." His face lightened into a smile but fell just as quickly.
As much as he'd been expecting them, Zavien visibly flinched at the words, no longer feeling physical pain, but the deeper wound of disappointing a friend. Yet the man across him wasn't just a friend, he was burdened with the leadership of Halo as a whole. Deimos couldn't afford to let people take matters into their own hands, especially when lives hung in the balance, otherwise anarchy would ensue. Perhaps he should have been more considerate, more prepared, more realistic about his own weakness before diving in against the Void.
His head fell with shame. "I do." It was soft but understanding, weighted by a thousand pounds of self-condemnation. Zavien tried to escape the crushing of his heart with a smile, like he'd seen his mother do every day. It faltered slightly before sliding into place, not reaching his eyes. "I'll be more careful."
Pleased to hear Evie would know of her achievement, Zavien nodded his head. It didn't hurt as much this time, but he moved slowly just to be sure. And as he shifted gently in the bed, the confirmation that Soh was on the mend helped ease lingering tensions. "I'm glad she's doing better." His face lightened into a smile but fell just as quickly.
As much as he'd been expecting them, Zavien visibly flinched at the words, no longer feeling physical pain, but the deeper wound of disappointing a friend. Yet the man across him wasn't just a friend, he was burdened with the leadership of Halo as a whole. Deimos couldn't afford to let people take matters into their own hands, especially when lives hung in the balance, otherwise anarchy would ensue. Perhaps he should have been more considerate, more prepared, more realistic about his own weakness before diving in against the Void.
His head fell with shame. "I do." It was soft but understanding, weighted by a thousand pounds of self-condemnation. Zavien tried to escape the crushing of his heart with a smile, like he'd seen his mother do every day. It faltered slightly before sliding into place, not reaching his eyes. "I'll be more careful."
