24.Jun.12, 05:29 AM
Tal didn't fight B'jin as the greenrider took his arm, or as he was so delicately steered down the hallway to his bed. Tal was a compliant boy, generally following orders without much fuss. How could he be expected to put up a fight in extraordinary circumstances? He trudged along, his feet occasionally dragging with the extra weight from the alcohol, before finally they arrived at his room.
As soon as they entered, Tal attempted to slam the door in B'jin's face. It was a snap reaction, born of frustration and anxiety, but it hadn't exactly been intentional. Tal didn't expect B'jin to stay. When he did, Tal's eyes widened and his face softened sheepishly as he realized what he'd almost done. He paused, eyes still moist and vision blurred, before looking away and creeping towards his bed. As he seated himself, he realized B'jin was still guiding him.
The young man sat there for several long seconds as he felt B'jin's ever-warm embrace wrapping around him. As badly as the boy wanted to be left alone and have all reminders of his situation taken away from him, he couldn't resist that embrace. He leaned into the hug and closed his eyes, his heart pounding as he heard those words.
B'jin had apologized to him many times. Tal didn't believe the greenrider at first, who otherwise seemed so proud of his cruel work. Part of Tal didn't think he'd ever completely forgive B'jin for what he'd done. If anything or anyone was worth it, though, it was B'jin. Tal frowned, looking back at the greenrider with wide, distressed eyes.
"It's okay," he lied. He smiled a little bit, the most pitifully unfit attempt of a smile he'd ever made, before breaking out into a horrible laugh. It was mild and brief, and wreaked of insincerity. He wanted to keep reassuring B'jin, to let him know that he didn't need to be coddled right now. B'jin had done enough for him, he had his own issues to worry about!
And yet here he was. B'jin was such a better father than Talerian ever was, ever would or could be. Tal pitched forward and threw his arms around the man, hanging on for dear life.
"I love you."
As soon as they entered, Tal attempted to slam the door in B'jin's face. It was a snap reaction, born of frustration and anxiety, but it hadn't exactly been intentional. Tal didn't expect B'jin to stay. When he did, Tal's eyes widened and his face softened sheepishly as he realized what he'd almost done. He paused, eyes still moist and vision blurred, before looking away and creeping towards his bed. As he seated himself, he realized B'jin was still guiding him.
The young man sat there for several long seconds as he felt B'jin's ever-warm embrace wrapping around him. As badly as the boy wanted to be left alone and have all reminders of his situation taken away from him, he couldn't resist that embrace. He leaned into the hug and closed his eyes, his heart pounding as he heard those words.
B'jin had apologized to him many times. Tal didn't believe the greenrider at first, who otherwise seemed so proud of his cruel work. Part of Tal didn't think he'd ever completely forgive B'jin for what he'd done. If anything or anyone was worth it, though, it was B'jin. Tal frowned, looking back at the greenrider with wide, distressed eyes.
"It's okay," he lied. He smiled a little bit, the most pitifully unfit attempt of a smile he'd ever made, before breaking out into a horrible laugh. It was mild and brief, and wreaked of insincerity. He wanted to keep reassuring B'jin, to let him know that he didn't need to be coddled right now. B'jin had done enough for him, he had his own issues to worry about!
And yet here he was. B'jin was such a better father than Talerian ever was, ever would or could be. Tal pitched forward and threw his arms around the man, hanging on for dear life.
"I love you."