He says these words with a careful edge, low and controlled; sharp enough to cut but not firm enough to sound angry or upset. Even if that's precisely what he feels swell over him like a tide the more Roland listens to Inigo recall the tale of his heartbreak. Yuki, who he was willing to understand a little bit more about, suddenly becomes an enigma. Roland's brows furrow, and his hold on Inigo doesn't grow any relaxed. How dare he?
But Roland understands the roles set, and what can no longer be changed. Inigo is still here, living with the pain of the loss, and Yuki? Yuki is somewhere in a better place, with a girl that might bid for his heart too. Perhaps Inigo is right, and they are happy together. Roland wouldn't want anything else for him too, even if they've never met. He'd wish that for anyone who's left. But his role now has nothing to do with Yuki. It's not Roland's job to care about the man. However, it is his job - his duty - to care about Inigo.
Those words are all he will allow himself to voice out. He respects what Inigo feels for Yuki, however their relationship ended, and will grant that memory his silence.
There's very little in the way of Roland being honest about the rest of it, though. He breathes heavy, giving himself space to think. But the hesitation doesn't last. His instinct to protect and defend Inigo has always been a driving force in how he treats him, even if he must do it to protect Inigo from himself. The shadows that plague him, the ones that tell him what isn't true.
"You need to hear this, so I'll say it, okay?" Roland tilts his head down again, words cradled gentle and carried with affection. Arms around Inigo to warm and love; a sanctuary to hide in. "You didn't do anything wrong." The shake in his head is slight. He keeps going.
"I know you'll probably deny it, but I'll say it anyway. Because I'd never lie to you, and...Inigo..." He sighs. Tries to look at him again with a tilt of his chin, angled to the side despite how tightly they hold each other, how they don't seem like they'll be letting go any time soon. "Your kindness is your strength. Thinking about others comes so naturally to you. It's one of the best things about you. No one, especially not from someone who says they love you, should ever take that as an offense. They should never use your kindness to argue."
And to not even communicate to Inigo afterwards? After promising him the world and a half?
"...I would have done the same, had I been in your position." He adds, with a tone of finality, more to say that Roland would stand by that choice to think of the people of Ylisse too. To see them safe before he could move on. "What you said, I think it was right. It's admirable."
It's not your fault. You did right. You did good. It's not your fault.
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He says these words with a careful edge, low and controlled; sharp enough to cut but not firm enough to sound angry or upset. Even if that's precisely what he feels swell over him like a tide the more Roland listens to Inigo recall the tale of his heartbreak. Yuki, who he was willing to understand a little bit more about, suddenly becomes an enigma. Roland's brows furrow, and his hold on Inigo doesn't grow any relaxed. How dare he?
But Roland understands the roles set, and what can no longer be changed. Inigo is still here, living with the pain of the loss, and Yuki? Yuki is somewhere in a better place, with a girl that might bid for his heart too. Perhaps Inigo is right, and they are happy together. Roland wouldn't want anything else for him too, even if they've never met. He'd wish that for anyone who's left. But his role now has nothing to do with Yuki. It's not Roland's job to care about the man. However, it is his job - his duty - to care about Inigo.
Those words are all he will allow himself to voice out. He respects what Inigo feels for Yuki, however their relationship ended, and will grant that memory his silence.
There's very little in the way of Roland being honest about the rest of it, though. He breathes heavy, giving himself space to think. But the hesitation doesn't last. His instinct to protect and defend Inigo has always been a driving force in how he treats him, even if he must do it to protect Inigo from himself. The shadows that plague him, the ones that tell him what isn't true.
"You need to hear this, so I'll say it, okay?" Roland tilts his head down again, words cradled gentle and carried with affection. Arms around Inigo to warm and love; a sanctuary to hide in. "You didn't do anything wrong." The shake in his head is slight. He keeps going.
"I know you'll probably deny it, but I'll say it anyway. Because I'd never lie to you, and...Inigo..." He sighs. Tries to look at him again with a tilt of his chin, angled to the side despite how tightly they hold each other, how they don't seem like they'll be letting go any time soon. "Your kindness is your strength. Thinking about others comes so naturally to you. It's one of the best things about you. No one, especially not from someone who says they love you, should ever take that as an offense. They should never use your kindness to argue."
And to not even communicate to Inigo afterwards? After promising him the world and a half?
"...I would have done the same, had I been in your position." He adds, with a tone of finality, more to say that Roland would stand by that choice to think of the people of Ylisse too. To see them safe before he could move on. "What you said, I think it was right. It's admirable."
It's not your fault. You did right. You did good. It's not your fault.