mygod | pc catchall | vin

[flameguard]

the placing of these next to each other is exquisite

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[flameguard]

[ oh good him too. ]

...Vin.

[ he says, very quietly - softer than usual, so as not to startle her. ]

[allomantic]

[there's a little jump when he says that - not anything he's done, but she would have flinched slightly regardless of how softly he called out. after a moment:]

Yes?

[flameguard]

[ that's okay. he's kind of - not expecting it, but it's not surprising? he makes his way over, and comes to stand beside her, bowing his head, hands folded in front of himself. and then just, after a pause: ]

... I'm sorry. [ that it came to that. that she had to kill her friend. anything. ]

[allomantic]

...You don't have to be. I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't prepared to.

[and that doesn't means it isn't painful, but.]

[flameguard]

That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

[ i mean he'll just say it ]

[allomantic]

No. But that's nothing new.

[flameguard]

...then even more so, you deserve at least someone to say sorry, for it.

[ he scoots a little closer. it's affection week, and the urge to reach out is there - he hesitates, briefly, but instead just very gently nudges his arm into hers, first. ]

I know how that feels, too. It's - it's awful. To be the one to swing the blade. Even if it's your responsibility.

[allomantic]

...Sometimes I feel like I'm the blade itself, not even the one swinging it.

[but she takes a breath, rubbing at her face.]

I'll be fine. Really.

[flameguard]

[ oogh, that's familiar. he's quiet, for a moment - turning his face to look at her, finally, from underneath his bangs, expression soft and worried but no less sure. ]

You... don't have to be. At least, you don't have to be right now. [ a tiny, helpless laugh: ] I won't tell anyone.

[ maybe this time, he can help. ]

[allomantic]

[there's a pause, before she nods, a little shaky.]

I don't think I am.

[flameguard]

....Can I give you a hug?

[allomantic]

[after a moment, she nods.]

[flameguard]

[ and with zero hesitation, rondo sweeps her up in a hug.

he gives really good hugs. rondo is the kind of person who just radiates warmth, and his hugs are as effused with his genuine emotion and care as every other action he does -- he pulls vin into his arms and squeezes, tight. ]

[allomantic]

[she's relieved he can't see her expression as she hesitates for just a moment before reaching up to put her arms around him in turn. after a moment, she leans her head on his shoulder.

none of my hug icons are sad please imagine]

[flameguard]

[ i can only imagine vin smiling ( no)

he takes a short, shaky breath on his own, like he's bolstering himself. it's something he said to karlach, last week - that it's okay, to share your burdens with others. that you can be strong, but there's strength in recognizing that you're weak, that you're sad, that you're a human being. that there's strength in learning how to hold each other up.

it's the same here, too. of all the regrets he's felt, lately, nothing feels worse than letting someone in a similar position down, so when vin gives him a little vulnerability, rondo does everything in his power to hold it as safe as he can, to hug her tightly and tuck his head against the top of hers. ]

I've got you. [ he says, very quietly, curling his fingers in her clothes. i've got you. it's going to be okay. ]

[allomantic]

[...it's been a long time since someone said that. since someone let her be scared and unhappy without expectation or disappointment. it's such a simple statement and sentiment but, murmured after a moment:]

Thank you.