[ the truth is, abel isn't the only person who needs the comfort. rand's heart thuds unsteadily in his chest, weeks of worry — and just the fear and adrenaline of today, not just the horrifically burning pyre but every confrontation he struggled to survive so he could get here — starting to unravel. he would never have paused if not for abel's sake, of course, never asked just to soothe his own feelings and now of all times. and without the martyr bond, maybe that's not easily told. or maybe it is, in how he doesn't draw away until abel does, or how he smiles so warmly in return to all that Misty-Eyed Sentiment.
and as he turns properly to help abel climb onto his back, hold on to support his legs as they get situated, standing carefully, ]
I've told you. [ he 👏 can 👏 be 👏 funny 👏 but he can't help a more serious word of warning with, ] Just don't let go.
[ not that he thinks abel will; or that abel is in any danger of falling, really, even if he did; or that rand would ever let go, himself, or let him fall. he's got strength enough for this, and he has the Power where strength fails, and he'll rely on that to ensure their safe retreat. but he can't not say.
he notices dokja lean down to pick something up with a faint frown. but there's no time or room for dwelling, and he can always ask later. instead, he too moves closer to kotetsu so abel can all the more easily take back his shard. and if his own eyes start to burn, just a little, from the heartfelt thanks, from the sight of himeka so near for the first time in too long (and too hurt, but there'll be time for that anger later), well. it's himeka he looks to as he says, ]
We don't leave our friends behind.
[ he remembers, from their last conversation in godsblood. of course he does.
it's after that, once the shards are completely safely retrieved, that he looks to meet dokja's eyes, nodding. ]
no subject
it's over; it's over; it's over. they're going home. they are.
and as he turns properly to help abel climb onto his back, hold on to support his legs as they get situated, standing carefully, ]
I've told you. [ he 👏 can 👏 be 👏 funny 👏 but he can't help a more serious word of warning with, ] Just don't let go.
[ not that he thinks abel will; or that abel is in any danger of falling, really, even if he did; or that rand would ever let go, himself, or let him fall. he's got strength enough for this, and he has the Power where strength fails, and he'll rely on that to ensure their safe retreat. but he can't not say.
he notices dokja lean down to pick something up with a faint frown. but there's no time or room for dwelling, and he can always ask later. instead, he too moves closer to kotetsu so abel can all the more easily take back his shard. and if his own eyes start to burn, just a little, from the heartfelt thanks, from the sight of himeka so near for the first time in too long (and too hurt, but there'll be time for that anger later), well. it's himeka he looks to as he says, ]
We don't leave our friends behind.
[ he remembers, from their last conversation in godsblood. of course he does.
it's after that, once the shards are completely safely retrieved, that he looks to meet dokja's eyes, nodding. ]
Let's go.