[ If she had a literal heart, it would feel if it's sinking like stone to her stomach. He still aches, he's still in pain-- this entire time, he had been lingering just beneath the surface of his skin, with him pushing it away, and she hadn't seen him struggle in the meantime. It's only by coincidence that she's caught him from drowning. She's troubled, yes, but... relieved he's still here with her. His fingers curl into hers like so many countless times before, and she gives his hand a squeeze in return. All familiar gestures; something that she hopes in which he can find stability.
Exchanging the word "problem" for "pain" makes his words sound worse: I can't let my suffering make life worse for them, as if-- ] As if... others' happiness is worth more than yours.
[ He can choose with whom or when to share his burdens, he can choose how much to share, or to hold off with sharing when another might be hurt instead-- that all is fair, and it requires tact, timing, and wisdom. But to dismiss his suffering altogether because he owes being strong for, better for, and not burdening others he's been ingrained to protect? And, Architect, does she understand that, empathizes with such sentiments, she knows them well herself enough to be a hypocrite. But for him, and seeing how this hurts him--
Ingrained, because he is royalty, because he has a fate and prophecy attached to him, and because-- of him. Because he needs to be strong, because he wants to protect others, because this is the standard of strong and brave to him, giving himself up for others, taking the fall, or otherwise pushing his own pain away for one reason or another, moving forward, keeping others close to him even if they hurt him, and wanting to help, even at the cost of himself.
Even if the world or gods hadn't demanded it of him, he would still give himself entirely to it. He is just that sort of person.
For how long has he dismissed himself? A year since she's known him, and certainly even longer throughout his life. ] When you are hurt, Noct... it matters.
no subject
Exchanging the word "problem" for "pain" makes his words sound worse: I can't let my suffering make life worse for them, as if-- ] As if... others' happiness is worth more than yours.
[ He can choose with whom or when to share his burdens, he can choose how much to share, or to hold off with sharing when another might be hurt instead-- that all is fair, and it requires tact, timing, and wisdom. But to dismiss his suffering altogether because he owes being strong for, better for, and not burdening others he's been ingrained to protect? And, Architect, does she understand that, empathizes with such sentiments, she knows them well herself enough to be a hypocrite. But for him, and seeing how this hurts him--
Ingrained, because he is royalty, because he has a fate and prophecy attached to him, and because-- of him. Because he needs to be strong, because he wants to protect others, because this is the standard of strong and brave to him, giving himself up for others, taking the fall, or otherwise pushing his own pain away for one reason or another, moving forward, keeping others close to him even if they hurt him, and wanting to help, even at the cost of himself.
Even if the world or gods hadn't demanded it of him, he would still give himself entirely to it. He is just that sort of person.
For how long has he dismissed himself? A year since she's known him, and certainly even longer throughout his life. ] When you are hurt, Noct... it matters.