let the whole world look in

NATE

It should click sooner, but it doesn't, not until Sunjata looks up at him, and Nate can see how bloodshot and bruised his eyes look. Not until Sunjata stands, and Nate reaches out to try and steady the wobbling, arms wrapping around the attuned automatically as he presses close. This close, Nate can smell the liquor he's soaked in, can feel the tremor in Sunjata that seems to come in time with his heartbeat. Had he really been gone long enough for all this?

Immediately, protectiveness flares in Nate, assuming the Captain is trying to be a threat, instead of offering a hand. He can't make anything else make sense, not at the moment, when he can only see a shard of the picture. Just before he can ask if he needs to make another visit to the smuggler, the thought is shoved out of his mind by the far more worrying rumble of Korofi.

"Wag, hoekom?" Fingers spread through the short hair at the back of Sunjata's head, cradling him close against Nate's shoulder and trying to offer some sense of comfort. "Het daar iets gebeur?" It was the only thing that made sense, really. Something had to have happened, Sunjata wouldn't just crack like this over nothing. Lips press against the top of Sunjata's head, a touch of guilt paving the way for his silent response. I missed you too. I'm sorry I left.

killed my old self
but the new me isn't much better