[The panicky swell of emotions is fading, but the adrenaline is still circulating, making it difficult to push his body into the serenity his mind has been creeping into for months. For a long, long moment, he just stands with Charles, arms wrapped tight. He probably couldn't coax them loose in those earliest moments.
Eventually, he does lift his head and shift, settling one hand on Charles' shoulder instead. He's still verklempt, throat thick, and he doesn't bother to hide the way he has to cough in order to speak.]
Maybe you're right.
[He has deserved this. Deserved - maybe not all of it, not the worst the Barge has offered, but even that - even that has led him here. It showed him that he could forgive, and that he doesn't have to. That some people deserve it, and some do not. That not all humans are monsters, not all monsters are lost, not all who are lost cannot be found. Because he's here, freedom in his hands, and none of it would have been possible if things had been any different.
He closest his eyes a moment, exhaling slowly. Rise up and walk, for none of your bones is broken. He did say he'd walk out of here.]
spam NO!!!
Eventually, he does lift his head and shift, settling one hand on Charles' shoulder instead. He's still verklempt, throat thick, and he doesn't bother to hide the way he has to cough in order to speak.]
Maybe you're right.
[He has deserved this. Deserved - maybe not all of it, not the worst the Barge has offered, but even that - even that has led him here. It showed him that he could forgive, and that he doesn't have to. That some people deserve it, and some do not. That not all humans are monsters, not all monsters are lost, not all who are lost cannot be found. Because he's here, freedom in his hands, and none of it would have been possible if things had been any different.
He closest his eyes a moment, exhaling slowly. Rise up and walk, for none of your bones is broken. He did say he'd walk out of here.]