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[There'll always be something small and tearful and frightened in Koby -- sometimes it's closer to the surface, brimming easily in his wide eyes, prompted by some injustice, some wave of emotion. Sometimes he keeps it further down in his chest, locked behind layers and layers of pretending, of being untouched by violence for long enough that he can almost believe it can't hurt him anymore.
But around Louis it's right there, raw and vulnerable and laid out, showing just how achingly young Koby still is, how new to the world and all it's hurts, all it's injustices. He hasn't been the child in braids with an empty stomach and a scratchy uniform for years now, but he can feel that raw, aching need flaring to life like an old wound. Koby sniffs, tips his cheek into Louis's hand and meets his gaze with teary eyes, with the cautious, wild hope of someone who's never been cared for quite this way -- never been loved by a parent.]
I trust you. [That, at least, Koby can say immediately. Even though he knows it's not a promise Louis could keep -- not in a way that'll last as long as vampires live, not in a way stronger than the forces pulling them back towards whatever fate holds, if they ever leave Saltburnt. Someday, maybe, probably, there won't be a world where Louis can look after Koby, can keep him safe.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't trust him, believe him, doesn't lift his hand and curl his pinky hesitantly around Louis's, smaller hands, knuckles scarred from rough decks, from rougher memories, from ghosts that Koby carries in his skin and his soul. There's a flicker of a smile, something like love, something like faith, something unshakable and honest and true.] Okay. You -- I believe you. I do.
But around Louis it's right there, raw and vulnerable and laid out, showing just how achingly young Koby still is, how new to the world and all it's hurts, all it's injustices. He hasn't been the child in braids with an empty stomach and a scratchy uniform for years now, but he can feel that raw, aching need flaring to life like an old wound. Koby sniffs, tips his cheek into Louis's hand and meets his gaze with teary eyes, with the cautious, wild hope of someone who's never been cared for quite this way -- never been loved by a parent.]
I trust you. [That, at least, Koby can say immediately. Even though he knows it's not a promise Louis could keep -- not in a way that'll last as long as vampires live, not in a way stronger than the forces pulling them back towards whatever fate holds, if they ever leave Saltburnt. Someday, maybe, probably, there won't be a world where Louis can look after Koby, can keep him safe.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't trust him, believe him, doesn't lift his hand and curl his pinky hesitantly around Louis's, smaller hands, knuckles scarred from rough decks, from rougher memories, from ghosts that Koby carries in his skin and his soul. There's a flicker of a smile, something like love, something like faith, something unshakable and honest and true.] Okay. You -- I believe you. I do.
Not necessarily, but it was notable enough to remember, very vividly.
[Koby actually laughs aloud.]
I'm not really sure what we are, actually. I care about him not getting sliced to bits? And he's incredibly annoying towards me, but I think that's the way he is with everyone.
[Koby actually laughs aloud.]
I'm not really sure what we are, actually. I care about him not getting sliced to bits? And he's incredibly annoying towards me, but I think that's the way he is with everyone.
You really care about him, don't you, Tim?
Well, I don't know if "okay" is the right word. It makes me sad and it makes me angry and I wish sometimes it were different, but
When we go back to our worlds, he's a pirate and I'm a Marine. We're enemies. That's something we can't ever undo. So whatever I get here, as long as it lasts, I can learn to live with.
Well, I don't know if "okay" is the right word. It makes me sad and it makes me angry and I wish sometimes it were different, but
When we go back to our worlds, he's a pirate and I'm a Marine. We're enemies. That's something we can't ever undo. So whatever I get here, as long as it lasts, I can learn to live with.
Yeah, I do. When you and Hawk were both gone, he was there for me.
[ Picking him out of the dirt and making him work, so that eventually he won't have to be afraid of this place anymore. Helping him destroy his old room in a blaze of purifying, cathartic flame, which anyone else would have thought was crazy. Not the warm, tender things he would seek from Koby or Quentin or Hawk, but necessary. ]
Is being a pirate not voluntary?
[ Picking him out of the dirt and making him work, so that eventually he won't have to be afraid of this place anymore. Helping him destroy his old room in a blaze of purifying, cathartic flame, which anyone else would have thought was crazy. Not the warm, tender things he would seek from Koby or Quentin or Hawk, but necessary. ]
Is being a pirate not voluntary?
You were focused on not letting your head explode. It's okay. Everything seems like it's working out now.
If Shanks and Luffy and everyone else are pirates, maybe you should join them. It's not like your family is forcing you to be a marine.
If Shanks and Luffy and everyone else are pirates, maybe you should join them. It's not like your family is forcing you to be a marine.
I do miss them, I was riding Sunfyre into battle when I arrived here. I do know, however, that Sunfyre is wise enough to find his way home without me.
And why is that?
And why is that?
Are there times in this place where people have returned home?
I did not say it involved a person, do not be so hasty. It is only that I have not been told of such things in their entirety.
Now answer carefully. How can you tell a person has left this place?
Now answer carefully. How can you tell a person has left this place?
Only because Vhagar is so big.
Then be sure to keep yourself armed at all times. Daemon will, and has, stooped so low.
Then be sure to keep yourself armed at all times. Daemon will, and has, stooped so low.
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