Those words are so utterly KILI that for a moment the elder
swears he can see the familiar glint of his brother in those
eyes ; peeking out from behind that veil of confusion &
desolation ... They do little to alleviate the crushing GUILT
that has settled in the hollows between his ribs & paints his
knuckles white where his fingers settle around one another,
resting still in his lap.
❝ As I am relieved to see you wake. ❞
If not completely whole & well yet ...
❝ I respect your choice, nadad, as I always have,
but it does not make the consequences any
easier to bear ... ❞
A part of him wonders if he should keep hips lips sealed,
keep to his SHAME in silence, but they have always been
OPEN with one another & so much has changed that he
longs to cling to even the smallest remnant of what once
was ...
❝ Do you need something to ease the pain ? ❞
Eyes drift to the swathe of bandages encompassing the
other's torso & he musters up ( what he hopes is ) a
neutral expression ; even as bile rises in his throat &
STAINS his tongue sour.