Roland is left speechless. Mouth dry, eyes wide and unblinking. The hand in his is tighter than his own grip, for once. Whatever it was he expected to hear, it wasn't this. A nightmare - literal in almost every way. The implications might even be worse than what's been said. All he needs to do is imagine it: if he had returned to his own world, with nothing but death and despair, what fate would be worse? Surviving a nuclear apocalypse, and being forced to live through every single day with nothing to your name but the clothes on your back and the will to keep going. Was that a life?
If it had been William, surviving the blast. He resists the cold shiver that runs through his spine, goosebumps rising in his skin from the fear. That was Inigo's reality. The scars on the boy's back granted a new meaning. And what did that even mean? The dead coming back to life? Like some sort of zombie horror movie...? Unreal. Too unreal that Roland can believe it. Which only meant Inigo might have fought someone he knew after they were revived from the afterlife. Another thought that makes his insides churn.
But this explains plenty. Roland needs only to listen further, hear it from Inigo's own mouth - No future to return to, nor a past to stay in. A new Inigo, a better one - to connect the pieces that have always felt like they were disconnected from the happy boy who met him on the platform in what seems like an eternity, now. Smiling even when he's in pain. Never letting anyone know what he really feels, despite bursting at the seams. Survival instinct. Inigo knows only how to survive, to run at full speed ahead. There was no time. He might have thought there was no point, either. The hollowness in his smile resonates too deeply, but Roland doesn't want it to. It shouldn't be.
He keeps their hands connected, but turns just slightly to face him better. Roland can't believe it. Refuses fate on Inigo's behalf, as long as he must. Roland feels a crack in his throat, but will speak regardless, meeting Inigo's gaze straight on. Needs him to see, needs him to understand. No wonder losses hit Inigo harder than most. No wonder he cries the way he does. Everyday, a goodbye. Roland has never felt more protective of him than in this moment.
'I've been so tired. There were times when I wanted to give up.'
"No," he shakes his head, just small motions now. "You deserve that too. You deserve to live out your second chance just as much as a new Inigo does. If it wasn't for your bravery...None of that would have even come to pass." He takes a look at Jumblie, hoping her light reaches him too. Hoping her joy penetrates their shared grief. Inigo is just a boy. Gentle, drawn to flowers, affection as natural to him as breathing.
"You deserve it, too. To have a home to return to. A future to look forward to."
no subject
If it had been William, surviving the blast. He resists the cold shiver that runs through his spine, goosebumps rising in his skin from the fear. That was Inigo's reality. The scars on the boy's back granted a new meaning. And what did that even mean? The dead coming back to life? Like some sort of zombie horror movie...? Unreal. Too unreal that Roland can believe it. Which only meant Inigo might have fought someone he knew after they were revived from the afterlife. Another thought that makes his insides churn.
But this explains plenty. Roland needs only to listen further, hear it from Inigo's own mouth - No future to return to, nor a past to stay in. A new Inigo, a better one - to connect the pieces that have always felt like they were disconnected from the happy boy who met him on the platform in what seems like an eternity, now. Smiling even when he's in pain. Never letting anyone know what he really feels, despite bursting at the seams. Survival instinct. Inigo knows only how to survive, to run at full speed ahead. There was no time. He might have thought there was no point, either. The hollowness in his smile resonates too deeply, but Roland doesn't want it to. It shouldn't be.
He keeps their hands connected, but turns just slightly to face him better. Roland can't believe it. Refuses fate on Inigo's behalf, as long as he must. Roland feels a crack in his throat, but will speak regardless, meeting Inigo's gaze straight on. Needs him to see, needs him to understand. No wonder losses hit Inigo harder than most. No wonder he cries the way he does. Everyday, a goodbye. Roland has never felt more protective of him than in this moment.
'I've been so tired. There were times when I wanted to give up.'
"No," he shakes his head, just small motions now. "You deserve that too. You deserve to live out your second chance just as much as a new Inigo does. If it wasn't for your bravery...None of that would have even come to pass." He takes a look at Jumblie, hoping her light reaches him too. Hoping her joy penetrates their shared grief. Inigo is just a boy. Gentle, drawn to flowers, affection as natural to him as breathing.
"You deserve it, too. To have a home to return to. A future to look forward to."