[The silence may weigh heavy at first, but the sharpness of that one word might as well shatter it like glass. Dimitri props up an elbow, leaning against the car door at the base of the window. His free hand wipes at the blood dribbling down his cheekbone.]
Just don’t, Ashe. It wasn’t your fault — guilt isn’t going to do you any good in this situation. It’s not yours to carry anyway.
[That is his burden to bear, and he’ll feel it begin to dissolve him from the inside out later. When the adrenaline has died, when his eye is tended to, when he’s finally by himself after the ruckus of this whole mess is sorted.
A leader takes the blame, after all. Barring betrayal or flat-out incompetence, it all circles around and back up to him. Part of his responsibilities.]
We just need to focus on getting back at anyone who would dare think to do this to us. You understand?
no subject
[The silence may weigh heavy at first, but the sharpness of that one word might as well shatter it like glass. Dimitri props up an elbow, leaning against the car door at the base of the window. His free hand wipes at the blood dribbling down his cheekbone.]
Just don’t, Ashe. It wasn’t your fault — guilt isn’t going to do you any good in this situation. It’s not yours to carry anyway.
[That is his burden to bear, and he’ll feel it begin to dissolve him from the inside out later. When the adrenaline has died, when his eye is tended to, when he’s finally by himself after the ruckus of this whole mess is sorted.
A leader takes the blame, after all. Barring betrayal or flat-out incompetence, it all circles around and back up to him. Part of his responsibilities.]
We just need to focus on getting back at anyone who would dare think to do this to us. You understand?