The words turn to ash in Dread's mouth. What was meant to be lighthearted... oh. No, clearly it wasn't. His expression goes from gentle concern to shock, then horror. His heart pounds in his chest, squeezes. Nausea grips his system. His head spun. His family... they were alive. "I'm sorry I-- what?" Dread took a staggering, shaky step back. His head dropped low for a moment, tears threatening. On the verge, though he clings on. "Crux I'm sorry," his voice trembles. "W-who--?" The words break off, shatter in Dread's mouth. His knees quake. He feels sick.
And then there it was, the question. A heavy sigh. Trying to steady himself, to provide his brother with the answer he damn well deserved. "After the raid, I lost a bet to Deluge. I was going to go spend a little time with the Raiders, I thought... I thought that by going I could get to know their way of life from the inside. I knew they wouldn't hurt me, and I thought it would look like taking initiative to gather information. I'm..." Dread paused, took a deep, shaky breath. "I don't want to have to fight them any more. I thought if I lost the fight to Deluge, then I'd be able to go there and learn how to make things better." It's the first time he's given it out loud. His full, whole reasoning. The whole reason he'd taken the probably-doomed wager in the first place.
"I hit my head on a rock during the fight. I was out, dad got there... he stabbed Deluge. We argued." Dread heaved a sigh. His throat ached. Gaze flickering to Crux's face... did his brother believe him? Looking at the shorter boy in earnest, damn near pleading. There's hurt in his voice and in his eyes too. Fuck.
Bard
