Bastien
The little hands in his own made Bastien's chest flip; Azrael was still so small, so young. It went against every instinct he had to take them out into this fight with him, but he knew he didn't have a choice. He wondered if this was how the Virgin Mary was meant to have felt, in all those church stories he hadn't paid much attention to - a child destined for greatness was one destined to be hurt, no matter how much a parent tried to stop it."Good. I am proud of you, Azrael, and I love you very, very much - no matter what happens." He was terrified this might be along the last times he got to say that. He hadn't known, when he'd last spoken to Rexanna, that it had been significant, that he'd yearn for just a glance at her alive and well again for years to come. Shuffling closer he held Azrael to his chest, brows furrowing as he lowered his head to kiss his child's hair.
"You will make us proud, I am sure. And when this is over, me and you shall go on a great journey, hm? Halo and Torchline and I've heard there is a place called The Wilds, too. We could see it all." He could already imagine Azrael's curious eyes and hands, the joy in their face. If they could both just make it to then, everything would be alright.
What God doesn't give to you
You've got to go and get for yourself
