If I can stop one heart from breaking
If I can ease one life the aching
If I can ease one life the aching
It is one of the hardest things Harper has ever had to do to sit and listen as Sohalia speaks and not interrupt or wipe her tears away. What’s worse is it is a story he has heard so many times, across all genders and age groups. He has sat with students, soldiers, friends and family having this talk so many times.
He had this talk himself once. A very long time ago.
It had not ended on a note as relieved as Sohalia’s, but that relief bubbles up fiercely inside his chest to hear that such a fate had been headed off by a well-meaning stranger.
Only when she tapers off does he pull her close, one arm crossing in front to gently turn her into his chest as he hugs her. And for a few slow breaths (ones he emphasizes to try and have her following along) he merely holds her. Fighting down dark, evil thoughts and desires to focus instead on helping bandage these wounds that only his words can fix, not his hands.
When he’s ready he pulls back and gently touches her chin to make her look him in the eyes, wanting to impress the certainty upon her. In fact he even opens the Attuned bond so she can feel his emotions; love, protectiveness, empathy, sorrow. “Firstly, you were not stupid or naive. You were not to blame for his decisions or actions, and you deserve to go about the world - especially an established city - without looking over your shoulder at every moment.” That might not always be how the world works, but her intentions had not been wrong.
“And even if you had killed him, it would have been in self defense, and entirely justifiable. It may have been a burden on you to know he had died, but it would not have been your fault.” The certainly is even stronger now across the bond, almost insistent. Which brings him to the most important part, as he lays his hand on her shoulder and squeezes firmly.
“Sohalia I need you to hear me when I say it wasn’t your fault. Being unprepared, unarmed, or not strong enough does not matter. You didn’t deserve it, and I am so glad that you’re okay.” Harper’s eyes take on a slight sheen from the strength of that relief, though his lips tremble slightly, noticeable. “So, so glad. And honey I am so proud of you, because it takes an incredibly strong spirit to still care about someone’s wellbeing after they’ve hurt you. And even more to ask for help.” He is more impressed by her every day he is lucky to know her, and today is no exception.
“And I don’t know if it will mean anything, but it happened to me too once. I was not able to get away - and you know what, it wasn’t my fault either. The decisions of others do not define our worth.” Harper had gone through years of coming to grips with his own experience, trying to find his way alone. If he has any say, Sohalia will not be left to her own devices the way he was.
He had this talk himself once. A very long time ago.
It had not ended on a note as relieved as Sohalia’s, but that relief bubbles up fiercely inside his chest to hear that such a fate had been headed off by a well-meaning stranger.
Only when she tapers off does he pull her close, one arm crossing in front to gently turn her into his chest as he hugs her. And for a few slow breaths (ones he emphasizes to try and have her following along) he merely holds her. Fighting down dark, evil thoughts and desires to focus instead on helping bandage these wounds that only his words can fix, not his hands.
When he’s ready he pulls back and gently touches her chin to make her look him in the eyes, wanting to impress the certainty upon her. In fact he even opens the Attuned bond so she can feel his emotions; love, protectiveness, empathy, sorrow. “Firstly, you were not stupid or naive. You were not to blame for his decisions or actions, and you deserve to go about the world - especially an established city - without looking over your shoulder at every moment.” That might not always be how the world works, but her intentions had not been wrong.
“And even if you had killed him, it would have been in self defense, and entirely justifiable. It may have been a burden on you to know he had died, but it would not have been your fault.” The certainly is even stronger now across the bond, almost insistent. Which brings him to the most important part, as he lays his hand on her shoulder and squeezes firmly.
“Sohalia I need you to hear me when I say it wasn’t your fault. Being unprepared, unarmed, or not strong enough does not matter. You didn’t deserve it, and I am so glad that you’re okay.” Harper’s eyes take on a slight sheen from the strength of that relief, though his lips tremble slightly, noticeable. “So, so glad. And honey I am so proud of you, because it takes an incredibly strong spirit to still care about someone’s wellbeing after they’ve hurt you. And even more to ask for help.” He is more impressed by her every day he is lucky to know her, and today is no exception.
“And I don’t know if it will mean anything, but it happened to me too once. I was not able to get away - and you know what, it wasn’t my fault either. The decisions of others do not define our worth.” Harper had gone through years of coming to grips with his own experience, trying to find his way alone. If he has any say, Sohalia will not be left to her own devices the way he was.
I shall not live in vain
HARPER
