you have survived every moment of your life
even the ones you swore you wouldn't
A wry grin pulls at tired lips. "Trust me, I'm likely the most emotionally available man I know. But...this is going to take time, I'd rather do it in parts I guess." Instead of risking overwhelm by letting it crash into him all at once. Harper may not have much to his name as an individual outside of his physical ingrained skills, but at least he is familiar with his own emotions unlike many others. Despite how they seem to confound him now.
He listens carefully to her instructions. It's quite an intriguing list of instructions, and definitely something he has never even thought to do. But, well, what's the harm in adding it in to his tried and tried methods? Taking the items she hands over, he gives a small grateful smile and tucks them away to set out in his area with Phoebe. "Thank you, I will definitely give it a try." Especially so that the products do not go wasted when she has so kindly bequeathed them onto him.
Though he is a bit agog at her following metaphor, entirely romantic and intense in a way he hadn't expected from the reserved demigoddess. "It sounds so easy that way. But knowing my own problems, the danger I can pose to untrained people...not to mention the danger I know I am all to willing to put myself into to protect others. It's not something I can ignore. Love...yes, love is something each person chooses every day they're with someone, but love is also protecting and caring for the person who you've devoted yourself to." A hand idly strokes down the cat's back, the warmth in his lap and the rough purring a soothing combination. It makes him long all the more for a companion, as Phoebe had encouraged him to ask for, but that's merely another thing he has refused to try. "I knew Tova could handle me in the moments I was most dangerous. I knew she was just as willing to die to protect our city and thousands of people we didn't know." Sighing, Harper lifts his gaze from the car and stares out over the iridescent sheen of stone before them. "I can't put that burden on them. Some of them have already lost so much, or are far too vulnerable." Phoebe had lost her nephews, and neither she nor Oliver were of the inclination to fight if they could instead live more peaceful lives. Cracking a weak smile he tries to divert from that topic a little. "Plus who knows how long it might take to be at peace. I won't have them wait for me, not when humans change so much as people with every day that goes by. I might not be what they want by then, or vice versa."
He listens carefully to her instructions. It's quite an intriguing list of instructions, and definitely something he has never even thought to do. But, well, what's the harm in adding it in to his tried and tried methods? Taking the items she hands over, he gives a small grateful smile and tucks them away to set out in his area with Phoebe. "Thank you, I will definitely give it a try." Especially so that the products do not go wasted when she has so kindly bequeathed them onto him.
Though he is a bit agog at her following metaphor, entirely romantic and intense in a way he hadn't expected from the reserved demigoddess. "It sounds so easy that way. But knowing my own problems, the danger I can pose to untrained people...not to mention the danger I know I am all to willing to put myself into to protect others. It's not something I can ignore. Love...yes, love is something each person chooses every day they're with someone, but love is also protecting and caring for the person who you've devoted yourself to." A hand idly strokes down the cat's back, the warmth in his lap and the rough purring a soothing combination. It makes him long all the more for a companion, as Phoebe had encouraged him to ask for, but that's merely another thing he has refused to try. "I knew Tova could handle me in the moments I was most dangerous. I knew she was just as willing to die to protect our city and thousands of people we didn't know." Sighing, Harper lifts his gaze from the car and stares out over the iridescent sheen of stone before them. "I can't put that burden on them. Some of them have already lost so much, or are far too vulnerable." Phoebe had lost her nephews, and neither she nor Oliver were of the inclination to fight if they could instead live more peaceful lives. Cracking a weak smile he tries to divert from that topic a little. "Plus who knows how long it might take to be at peace. I won't have them wait for me, not when humans change so much as people with every day that goes by. I might not be what they want by then, or vice versa."
this time is no different
you will last
