There was a moment of tension, of struggle and an inclination to withdraw from the touch. Korbin always had trouble accepting comfort from anyone, and it had not grown easier as he grew up. But Noah's grip was not one easily avoided, and almost with relief the boy caved to the slight pressure. Leaning aside into the hunter's embrace the shuddering breaths deepened into tearing sobs, gut wrenching and painful.
It was never a pleasant experience, coming face to face with your inner demons. Now Korbin realized that his not only existed but had been running amok unchecked for a long time. He had disgraced himself, his name, the people and the region he loved... and by all the gods, he was such a liar for ever claiming not to love them. When that was all he ever did. The humans, the animals, down to the dratted displaced wine spider that haunted the bar... that accursed bar that somehow had become his sister's only legacy, that he hated but couldn't let go of.
He found it was strange beyond belief that anyone still put up with him. It seemed that at least Noah Olson was more stubborn than himself, because for all that he had tried, Korbin hadn't managed to drive him away. As for the others... well. He couldn't decide yet if it was a loss or not. Didn't have the right to decide if they had given up. At least one thing had become clear from all of this. No one else could make him okay. Not people, or time. Though they might be able to help, Korbin would have to do the heavy lifting himself. Noah was kind to pray for him, but... it was LongNight, and the gods were not listening.
He didn't know how long he cried, but when the flood slowly subsided, Korbin felt a bit better. Raw and bruised, aching... but it was a good kind of pain. "Sorry... thank you, " he got out, and made a move to sit back up. It showed that Noah was a brother. Not his, though... perhaps Zeke wouldn't mind if Korbin borrowed a bit.
It was never a pleasant experience, coming face to face with your inner demons. Now Korbin realized that his not only existed but had been running amok unchecked for a long time. He had disgraced himself, his name, the people and the region he loved... and by all the gods, he was such a liar for ever claiming not to love them. When that was all he ever did. The humans, the animals, down to the dratted displaced wine spider that haunted the bar... that accursed bar that somehow had become his sister's only legacy, that he hated but couldn't let go of.
He found it was strange beyond belief that anyone still put up with him. It seemed that at least Noah Olson was more stubborn than himself, because for all that he had tried, Korbin hadn't managed to drive him away. As for the others... well. He couldn't decide yet if it was a loss or not. Didn't have the right to decide if they had given up. At least one thing had become clear from all of this. No one else could make him okay. Not people, or time. Though they might be able to help, Korbin would have to do the heavy lifting himself. Noah was kind to pray for him, but... it was LongNight, and the gods were not listening.
He didn't know how long he cried, but when the flood slowly subsided, Korbin felt a bit better. Raw and bruised, aching... but it was a good kind of pain. "Sorry... thank you, " he got out, and made a move to sit back up. It showed that Noah was a brother. Not his, though... perhaps Zeke wouldn't mind if Korbin borrowed a bit.
In loving memory of when I gave a shit
KORBIN
HALE
HALE
