[ For a few moments after he finishes speaking, she stands in shocked silence as his words settle. While she may not agree or condone all of what he's saying... It's the fact that he's supporting her-- that someone is supporting her at all, and in such a candid, unapologetic fashion, that has her stunned. She blinks a few times, finding herself unable to come up with something to say in return.
She's been feeling as if she's been the one at fault for... everything, for far too long. And while she doesn't feel as if she can't speak with Noctis about it, there just hasn't been a good time to bring up anything with him for the past two-- no, three months and counting, when his relationship with Era remains close and him so sorely effected by it (among other things that have happened to him in this time). Because of this, she's been isolated with her own feelings and thoughts.
It seems she didn't really know herself just how affected she had been by this, herself... And it seems she didn't know how moved she would be, if only she could have someone's support.
When she speaks, it's only his name stated in a tremulous tone, her gaze lowered, her breath shaky. ]
[Being a dad was hard enough but trying to be a dad to someone you've known for about three weeks was way harder. He tried his best to read Pyra's thoughts but he just couldn't get the ESP to work.
Had he said too much? Was she about to burst into tears? Would he be able to repair this damage? He waited as the silence stretched on for eight or nine years in the length of a couple heartbeats.
Even when she broke the silence, he just.. he couldn't figure out which way she was needing him to go. Did he apologize? Joke it off? Or.. unsure what else to do, he took a gamble. He opened his arms to see if she wanted a hug(???).]
[ --As soon as his arms open to her, a welcoming sign, she takes one step forward, another... and then takes it.
Pyra's arm wrap around his back, and she presses her head to his shoulder. While she isn't crying, her shoulders tremble with what could have been more, if only she would let herself. But she's steady-- steadier, than she was moments ago-- and his presence helps. This? This is better than merely holding hands, as they had been doing. ]
Thank you. [ ---...Not for what he's said about Era, because she disagrees on many points. And so she clarifies: ]
...For listening to me.
[ He had said he would be a dad to her in the next twenty minutes. Is this how he acts as s father, to give such support? It's overwhelming in far too many ways to describe, and-- ah. Validating, too. She feels validated and valued, and not brushed aside like some child or something useless. ]
[Tony held her when she let him, though he still was left in the dark about far too much. What just happened here? He had no idea what parts she agreed with or disagreed with or if she understood what he'd meant- well, he could tell she got enough to cause this reaction.
Even as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her brow, he battled with himself over what to do next. Except, there was at least one part he knew exactly how to respond to.]
Always, sweetheart. Always. We're family. I lied before. It's not for just twenty minutes, but whenever and however you might need me, if I'm at all able, I'll be here for you, Pyra.
[Reggie could suck it. A girl needed a dad and a father-in-law and the king only got to be one of those. When there was a wedding, they could mud wrestle over the specifics.]
[ She allows herself this hug to last a breath or two more, afterwards pulling away just enough to hold his hand again.
And hold his hand, she does, tightly. ]
I...
Ultimately, I don't want to see him so hurt anymore. I don't know what to do. He-- doesn't want to lose family, but if his family hurts him like this...
It doesn't seem right, to me. [ Knowing Noctis, she knows that he might continue to be hurt, because this is just how he is. ]
[Tony waits and watches as Pyra steps back. As hard as it was for him to keep his mouth shut, he was glad he did.
He frowns, feeling awful on her behalf- and Noctis'. It really wasn't right.
The question of whether he should intervene was right on his tongue before he stopped himself. No, this was about empowering her.]
So what are you going to do about it? If it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. Listen to yourself! Trust yourself! If you know someone you love is hurting and they can't stop it, they need help. Noctis needs your help.
[ Listen to herself, trust herself on this? But Noctis, Noctis--
Her head snaps up, and she looks at him partly bewildered, partly distressed.
"Noctis needs your help."
She wants to help him, she wants to defend him, she wants to lift him back up and undo the damage done, and she wants him encourage him in a way that he can protect himself from being hurt. But the situation is complicated and messy, and Pyra blames herself for being at--- well, if not the center of it, then somehow the unsuspecting instigator of it. ] I--... love him, Tony. [ She confesses, voice tremulous. ] I love him, I want him to be safe and not hurt by whomever he chooses.
[ But it has to be his choice. She can't make him choose, and she cannot choose for him, but she can see when he is being hurt, so she's left--... helpless, or close enough to feeling like helpless as she watches him suffer. Hugging him, holding him, encouraging him, she can do all of that, but in the moment-- in those moments where she's watching him in pain-- her heart aches. She wishes she were better at caring for him.
[He puts his other hand over the one already being held, engulfing her much smaller hand in his. He looks her in the eye and says as gently but as clearly as he can.]
Are you the one hurting him by making him do anything? Think, Pyra. Try to look at this as objectively as possible. Who is supporting him? Who is caring about what he wants and what his feelings are? Who is the one hurting him?
[ She's able to meet his gaze for all of a few moments, and then her eyes slide shut, tightly, as her fingers curl in his. His words cause another tremor to pass through her shoulders, and both his questions and the series of answers that pop into her head from them provide the clarity she needs.
It's nearly impossible to have her defend herself, but when it comes to others, especially one she loves, it's a different story.
Pyra steadies herself, drawing in a slow breath, then releasing it. ] It... was wrong. What she did was wrong.
[Tony nodded and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. He knew this was hard for her. She took so much of this guilt and blame that had been handed to her. It wasn't right. It used to torture him on the train that Morgan might one day end up like Madoka and be some doormat. Now he had found yet another girl with the same issue.
In some ways it was what Era was dealing with too. It was frustrating that they couldn't see things more clearly. They missed the parts that were their responsibilities and clung to the parts that were out of their control. He wondered if it was a girl thing.]
Yes. Listen to your heart, Pyra. You'll know what to do and when to do it.
[ She pulls away from the embrace just enough to take his hand again, keeping it centered between them. For a few moments all she does it gaze down at their shared hold, and then she brings her other hand up over his, gently placing her palm down upon his knuckles.
"Listen to your heart", he says. "You'll know."
She knows she can be influenced, she knows she takes others words to heart, but sometimes-- she also knows that others' words can turn her thoughts into doubts, misconstruing what she herself believes. Such instances are poisonous. She needs to hold firm, as least in this one belief that she wishes better for Noctis, and if she wants better for him, she herself needs to be stronger, too, to stand on her own. And-- possibly-- even defend herself, if needed.
Who knew just a little support could serve as such a wonderful reminder. (Now if only she'll remember this in the moment...)It doesn't matter if she doesn't actually have a heart, the feeling behind it is the same, and the inspiration beats quietly like a drum within, soft and sound, tentative but with the potential to build. ]
[Tony watched her face and slowly smiled. It warmed his heart to feel that someone had heard him and might be able to benefit from his advice. When she finally spoke again, his smile broadens.
He reached out and tucked a little wisp of red hair behind her ear and leaned forward to press a quick kiss to her forehead.]
You're welcome, sweetie.
[He glanced down at their empty plates and toward a window to judge the time.]
I should go and let think. Is there anything else I can help with though?
[ The kiss takes her by surprise, but she doesn't say anything else to it, instead only looking up at him with a smile. ]
No... No. I think that-- [ She inhales, once more steadying. ] I'll be fine. Thank you. [ She says again, a bit helplessly at this time, and... just minutely, an hint of tiredness appears within her gaze as if part of her mask finally has loosened in his presence.
There is little else in ways she can show gratefulness to him in this moment, other than another-- ] Thank you.
[ --and a squeeze of his hand in hers, as if he's given her something important, and there is a promise to him that she wishes to repay it, eventually.
[He hadn't seen that tired look before but he'd guessed it would be there. He certainly felt it. Honestly, this whole issue with Era was wearing him down.
Getting up, he gave her one more hug and made her promise if she should ever need anything at all, night or day, to know he was a phone call away.]
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no subject
She's been feeling as if she's been the one at fault for... everything, for far too long. And while she doesn't feel as if she can't speak with Noctis about it, there just hasn't been a good time to bring up anything with him for the past two-- no, three months and counting, when his relationship with Era remains close and him so sorely effected by it (among other things that have happened to him in this time). Because of this, she's been isolated with her own feelings and thoughts.
It seems she didn't really know herself just how affected she had been by this, herself... And it seems she didn't know how moved she would be, if only she could have someone's support.
When she speaks, it's only his name stated in a tremulous tone, her gaze lowered, her breath shaky. ]
T-Tony...
no subject
Had he said too much? Was she about to burst into tears? Would he be able to repair this damage? He waited as the silence stretched on for eight or nine years in the length of a couple heartbeats.
Even when she broke the silence, he just.. he couldn't figure out which way she was needing him to go. Did he apologize? Joke it off? Or.. unsure what else to do, he took a gamble. He opened his arms to see if she wanted a hug(???).]
no subject
Pyra's arm wrap around his back, and she presses her head to his shoulder. While she isn't crying, her shoulders tremble with what could have been more, if only she would let herself. But she's steady-- steadier, than she was moments ago-- and his presence helps. This? This is better than merely holding hands, as they had been doing. ]
Thank you. [ ---...Not for what he's said about Era, because she disagrees on many points. And so she clarifies: ]
...For listening to me.
[ He had said he would be a dad to her in the next twenty minutes. Is this how he acts as s father, to give such support? It's overwhelming in far too many ways to describe, and-- ah. Validating, too. She feels validated and valued, and not brushed aside like some child or something useless. ]
no subject
Even as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her brow, he battled with himself over what to do next. Except, there was at least one part he knew exactly how to respond to.]
Always, sweetheart. Always. We're family. I lied before. It's not for just twenty minutes, but whenever and however you might need me, if I'm at all able, I'll be here for you, Pyra.
[Reggie could suck it. A girl needed a dad and a father-in-law and the king only got to be one of those. When there was a wedding, they could mud wrestle over the specifics.]
no subject
And hold his hand, she does, tightly. ]
I...
Ultimately, I don't want to see him so hurt anymore. I don't know what to do. He-- doesn't want to lose family, but if his family hurts him like this...
It doesn't seem right, to me. [ Knowing Noctis, she knows that he might continue to be hurt, because this is just how he is. ]
no subject
He frowns, feeling awful on her behalf- and Noctis'. It really wasn't right.
The question of whether he should intervene was right on his tongue before he stopped himself. No, this was about empowering her.]
So what are you going to do about it? If it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. Listen to yourself! Trust yourself! If you know someone you love is hurting and they can't stop it, they need help. Noctis needs your help.
no subject
Her head snaps up, and she looks at him partly bewildered, partly distressed.
"Noctis needs your help."
She wants to help him, she wants to defend him, she wants to lift him back up and undo the damage done, and she wants him encourage him in a way that he can protect himself from being hurt. But the situation is complicated and messy, and Pyra blames herself for being at--- well, if not the center of it, then somehow the unsuspecting instigator of it. ] I--... love him, Tony. [ She confesses, voice tremulous. ] I love him, I want him to be safe and not hurt by whomever he chooses.
[ But it has to be his choice. She can't make him choose, and she cannot choose for him, but she can see when he is being hurt, so she's left--... helpless, or close enough to feeling like helpless as she watches him suffer. Hugging him, holding him, encouraging him, she can do all of that, but in the moment-- in those moments where she's watching him in pain-- her heart aches. She wishes she were better at caring for him.
What is she to do? ]
no subject
[He puts his other hand over the one already being held, engulfing her much smaller hand in his. He looks her in the eye and says as gently but as clearly as he can.]
Are you the one hurting him by making him do anything? Think, Pyra. Try to look at this as objectively as possible. Who is supporting him? Who is caring about what he wants and what his feelings are? Who is the one hurting him?
no subject
It's nearly impossible to have her defend herself, but when it comes to others, especially one she loves, it's a different story.
Pyra steadies herself, drawing in a slow breath, then releasing it. ] It... was wrong. What she did was wrong.
[ She shouldn't let that be twisted. ]
no subject
In some ways it was what Era was dealing with too. It was frustrating that they couldn't see things more clearly. They missed the parts that were their responsibilities and clung to the parts that were out of their control. He wondered if it was a girl thing.]
Yes. Listen to your heart, Pyra. You'll know what to do and when to do it.
no subject
"Listen to your heart", he says. "You'll know."
She knows she can be influenced, she knows she takes others words to heart, but sometimes-- she also knows that others' words can turn her thoughts into doubts, misconstruing what she herself believes. Such instances are poisonous. She needs to hold firm, as least in this one belief that she wishes better for Noctis, and if she wants better for him, she herself needs to be stronger, too, to stand on her own. And-- possibly-- even defend herself, if needed.
Who knew just a little support could serve as such a wonderful reminder. (Now if only she'll remember this in the moment...)It doesn't matter if she doesn't actually have a heart, the feeling behind it is the same, and the inspiration beats quietly like a drum within, soft and sound, tentative but with the potential to build. ]
...Thank you, Tony. I needed to hear that.
no subject
He reached out and tucked a little wisp of red hair behind her ear and leaned forward to press a quick kiss to her forehead.]
You're welcome, sweetie.
[He glanced down at their empty plates and toward a window to judge the time.]
I should go and let think. Is there anything else I can help with though?
no subject
No... No. I think that-- [ She inhales, once more steadying. ] I'll be fine. Thank you. [ She says again, a bit helplessly at this time, and... just minutely, an hint of tiredness appears within her gaze as if part of her mask finally has loosened in his presence.
There is little else in ways she can show gratefulness to him in this moment, other than another-- ] Thank you.
[ --and a squeeze of his hand in hers, as if he's given her something important, and there is a promise to him that she wishes to repay it, eventually.
With that, they can part ways. ]
Wrap!
Getting up, he gave her one more hug and made her promise if she should ever need anything at all, night or day, to know he was a phone call away.]