We need to talk

Spider buries their head in Bas’ chest, surprised to feel the wetness of his tears soaking into their fear. have they ever seen Bas really, truly cry? it feels precious, like he’s entrusting a piece of himself to them. for a moment, the world shrinks down to just the two of them, beginning and ending in the warmth and love between. Spider doesn’t know how to entangle this clusterfuck - their heart still feels it’s been crushed into granules - but they can’t leave Bas, and they can’t leave their life in the Armada.

it would destroy them.

so for better or worse, Igni- she will have to stay. “i don’t know what to do, either,” they sniffle, a repetition of Bas’ earlier sentiment. they’re both stumbling blind, clawing for a foothold. “but i’m on your side, Dad. we’re a team, okay? you and me.” they’d told him as such, over and over when he’d taken up the mantle of Warlord, but maybe he hadn’t truly believed it until now. maybe he hadn’t thought himself worthy of such a promise.