Zavien
Thinking on Tal, he was reminded that they'd planned to meet up again soon. "I stop by when I can. He and Alys seem to be doing well. I'm sure they'd be happy to see you." Zavien smiled at her, his hand joining in the doting of the cat to see if it liked chin scratches like Sol.
However, his full attention quickly shifted to Soh, his arms occupied with comforting her as she recalled the loss of her brave companion. He wanted to be completely in the moment, to soothe her hurt and give Tarak the respect he deserved; but mention of Remi and how she'd gone through the effort of seeking him out for those final moments stabbed deep in his chest. Should he have done more for Lena? Should he have asked to see her again, to say all the things he hadn't gotten the chance to? What did it say about him that he hadn't?
Guilt and shame curdled in his stomach, souring the moment. His shoulders stiffened, suddenly feeling like he was betraying her memory by holding Soh, for even daring to replace her or find happiness when she'd never get the chance. He'd barely considered her or what she might think if she knew he'd moved on so quickly with someone they'd both known.
Discomfort and unease threatened to send him into a panicked spiral, willing him to pull away, to run. But Soh was leaning into him, clearly hurting and grieving, and he couldn't imagine doing that to her right now, couldn't imagine abandoning her for a trauma that wasn't her fault. He'd give her at least this moment, he'd be the strength she needed until he could process his unresolved feelings.
Taking a deep breath, he did his best to sound reassuring and supportive, wishing desperately it might distract him from the dark place his thoughts had gone. "I'm sure that helped, to know that he's not suffering."
However, his full attention quickly shifted to Soh, his arms occupied with comforting her as she recalled the loss of her brave companion. He wanted to be completely in the moment, to soothe her hurt and give Tarak the respect he deserved; but mention of Remi and how she'd gone through the effort of seeking him out for those final moments stabbed deep in his chest. Should he have done more for Lena? Should he have asked to see her again, to say all the things he hadn't gotten the chance to? What did it say about him that he hadn't?
Guilt and shame curdled in his stomach, souring the moment. His shoulders stiffened, suddenly feeling like he was betraying her memory by holding Soh, for even daring to replace her or find happiness when she'd never get the chance. He'd barely considered her or what she might think if she knew he'd moved on so quickly with someone they'd both known.
Discomfort and unease threatened to send him into a panicked spiral, willing him to pull away, to run. But Soh was leaning into him, clearly hurting and grieving, and he couldn't imagine doing that to her right now, couldn't imagine abandoning her for a trauma that wasn't her fault. He'd give her at least this moment, he'd be the strength she needed until he could process his unresolved feelings.
Taking a deep breath, he did his best to sound reassuring and supportive, wishing desperately it might distract him from the dark place his thoughts had gone. "I'm sure that helped, to know that he's not suffering."
I love you with everything I am,
everything I've been,
and everything I hope to be.
everything I've been,
and everything I hope to be.
