[It's a lot for Cater to take in, too. Family is...huge. It's bigger than friends, bigger than most romantic partners you'll have in your life. Cater has a decent amount of hang-ups with his own family but he'd still never trade them for anything. He'd still fight tooth-and-nail to protect each and every one of them. Even when Cater would dread going home for breaks knowing that his sisters would be there...the idea that he'd never get to see them again hits different.
He's needed more than what he's gotten from them, over the years. But still, they're the only ones who have ever been in his life no matter how far they traveled. How much deeper would it cut to think that he could never, ever see them again?
So for Silver to make that comparison, he can feel his own urge to run, his own anxieties, climbing up in his throat. He says he needs that connection and stability, but to form it, doesn't he understand how much pain he's setting himself up for? Doesn't he realize that all of this could fall apart all on its own without any impact from the three of them? They mean nothing to this city. They're just toys that can get thrown away, returned to sender, no receipt needed.
Cater swallows, wincing internally as Idia pulls back. He wants to do the same...but he knows what will happen if he does. Silver will take these emotions that he's presented, his truth, his real face, and hide it away again. He shouldn't have to do that. Cater's so used to wearing his mask that he rarely knows who he is without it on, so he can bear this sort of burden. But Silver? No, he deserves better.
So no matter what he's thinking or feeling, he pulls the boy even more tightly to his chest.]
We aren't fighting, Silver. None of us. Not with each other, at least. You're right, something happened between Idia and I but it isn't what you think, and we don't hold anything against each other. Even if we did, you've gotta understand that you aren't in any way responsible for everyone else's problems. [He pauses, clearing his throat.] The three of us...it sounds like we have battles that we have to fight on our own. We can be here to support each other but whether we win or lose isn't on anyone but ourselves. And if we do lose, that isn't your fault. You can still be there to hold out a hand after the damage is done, though...and I think that's the best we can try for. I know you aren't going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere.
[He glances toward Idia. He'd pulled back...but he was still there for Silver. That's what mattered.]
no subject
He's needed more than what he's gotten from them, over the years. But still, they're the only ones who have ever been in his life no matter how far they traveled. How much deeper would it cut to think that he could never, ever see them again?
So for Silver to make that comparison, he can feel his own urge to run, his own anxieties, climbing up in his throat. He says he needs that connection and stability, but to form it, doesn't he understand how much pain he's setting himself up for? Doesn't he realize that all of this could fall apart all on its own without any impact from the three of them? They mean nothing to this city. They're just toys that can get thrown away, returned to sender, no receipt needed.
Cater swallows, wincing internally as Idia pulls back. He wants to do the same...but he knows what will happen if he does. Silver will take these emotions that he's presented, his truth, his real face, and hide it away again. He shouldn't have to do that. Cater's so used to wearing his mask that he rarely knows who he is without it on, so he can bear this sort of burden. But Silver? No, he deserves better.
So no matter what he's thinking or feeling, he pulls the boy even more tightly to his chest.]
We aren't fighting, Silver. None of us. Not with each other, at least. You're right, something happened between Idia and I but it isn't what you think, and we don't hold anything against each other. Even if we did, you've gotta understand that you aren't in any way responsible for everyone else's problems. [He pauses, clearing his throat.] The three of us...it sounds like we have battles that we have to fight on our own. We can be here to support each other but whether we win or lose isn't on anyone but ourselves. And if we do lose, that isn't your fault. You can still be there to hold out a hand after the damage is done, though...and I think that's the best we can try for. I know you aren't going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere.
[He glances toward Idia. He'd pulled back...but he was still there for Silver. That's what mattered.]
Idia's not going anywhere.
[At least not as much as they could help it.]