[He hums. Angry secrets. He always tried so hard to keep them behind his teeth. When they came free, they tore at him and all his old wounds. No matter who or what he lashed at, those barbs would swing around back to him.
He doesn't want to find angry secrets now. He doesn't want to see them scared of him-- or sad for him. He's already done enough.
He smiles at the little pat. His wings ruffle just slightly and shift so they're a little more out of the way while Mili gets in close. The purr is an inhuman thing, but it's a sweet thing, like the little noises Nekane made sometimes, old bird instincts slipping out before they'd become embarrassed by it.
But, it's when they comb through his hair that his breath shudders out and his eyes close out of real relief. One kind of touch not ruined. Demons might pull but only Nekane would be so careful. Nekane and Mili. It's a moment before he speaks.]
Is that what makes a real child? To be loved? [It makes his heart ache.] We had something in common then. I don't think I was ever a real child. But I never-- no, that's a lie. I minded a lot. In that place, there were many things that made us tell secrets. You know, that was the first secret I said? It was how I met my dear friend.
[They know that. They know he met Nekane while locked in a room, eyes bleeding, head aching, begging them to please, please, say something so it would stop. And they caved simply because he was willing to give more. It had to be fair.]
I'm not sure what secrets I'll find when it's my turn. You know so many. Even that one, that I was... resentful. [His hand moves to his arm where the word has been carved in.] I'm not anymore. I found something good, like you. I'm glad that your new family's been good to you too.
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He doesn't want to find angry secrets now. He doesn't want to see them scared of him-- or sad for him. He's already done enough.
He smiles at the little pat. His wings ruffle just slightly and shift so they're a little more out of the way while Mili gets in close. The purr is an inhuman thing, but it's a sweet thing, like the little noises Nekane made sometimes, old bird instincts slipping out before they'd become embarrassed by it.
But, it's when they comb through his hair that his breath shudders out and his eyes close out of real relief. One kind of touch not ruined. Demons might pull but only Nekane would be so careful. Nekane and Mili. It's a moment before he speaks.]
Is that what makes a real child? To be loved? [It makes his heart ache.] We had something in common then. I don't think I was ever a real child. But I never-- no, that's a lie. I minded a lot. In that place, there were many things that made us tell secrets. You know, that was the first secret I said? It was how I met my dear friend.
[They know that. They know he met Nekane while locked in a room, eyes bleeding, head aching, begging them to please, please, say something so it would stop. And they caved simply because he was willing to give more. It had to be fair.]
I'm not sure what secrets I'll find when it's my turn. You know so many. Even that one, that I was... resentful. [His hand moves to his arm where the word has been carved in.] I'm not anymore. I found something good, like you. I'm glad that your new family's been good to you too.