[ Strohl has never been shy about noting or admitting his own shortcomings. He is the sort to firmly stand by his beliefs, even if they overlapped with his enemy's own ideology. In fact, he'd been the first to confess that he concurred with some of the principles Louis espoused.
It's that honest heart of his which is beautiful to Will.
His fingers remain curled around Strohl's hand as his eyes drift shut for a moment, taking in the sensation of Strohl's warm palm against his face. The calluses on it gently press against Will's skin, yet another reminder of how fervently they'd all fought for this tenuous peace. And even after ushering in a new era, there still remained corners of the kingdom which knew no rest. Even now, humans continued to roam the lands.
Those places deserve to be brought into the sunlight, just as Halia would someday stand proud yet again. Will knows just how deeply Strohl cherishes this place. He'd worn a reminder of it upon his back, his blade mounted there as well, perhaps a constant reminder of how defending something precious required using one's own hands. Yet another reminder hangs around Strohl's neck, metal resting against his sternum to match the crest inked upon his shoulder. ]
It's not a bad thing to be prepared.
[ Will's eyes are open once again as he lifts his free hand to rest it atop Strohl's. ]
But... don't let despair swallow why you felt something was worth protecting in the first place.
[ In truth, assassination attempts don't quite make it far to the forefront of Will's mind. It's why he can confidently slip away into the city donning the barest of disguises. But if it would offer Strohl some peace of mind, perhaps he can begin requesting Strohl's company during his escapades.
Will returns Strohl's smile with one of his own. The frankness permitted by the privacy of Halia is refreshing compared to the trappings of the palace. He can only hope that discussing things unfettered has lightened the weight that's been crushing Strohl's shoulders. ]
I meant it when I said take all the time you need. Though, I hope you see now that someday --
[ Will's words catch in his throat as a sharp pain radiates from his chest. He recognizes the sensation, silently lamenting the fact that this seems to crop up at the most inconvenient of times. The hand atop Strohl's suddenly clenches it tight, the one wrapped around Strohl's hand letting it go as though it had suddenly taken on the temperature of a hot iron. His fingers grasp at his chest instead, breath trembling as his eyes squeeze shut while clinging to Strohl for support.
Despite the agony, Will inhales and grounds himself, eyes opening again as he forces his smile to return while desperately catching his breath. ]
I'm okay, I just -- I need a minute --
[ It's not the first time it's happened, but their respective duties have kept them apart more than Will would have liked, kept them apart for far too long for the phantom pain to strike in front of Strohl. It must be frightening for Strohl to witness, he thinks, even if Will knows the flare-up will pass soon enough.
Yet another reminder he supposes of how, in those quiet moments when he is alone, he still hesitates to truly call himself Euchronia's prince. ]
no subject
It's that honest heart of his which is beautiful to Will.
His fingers remain curled around Strohl's hand as his eyes drift shut for a moment, taking in the sensation of Strohl's warm palm against his face. The calluses on it gently press against Will's skin, yet another reminder of how fervently they'd all fought for this tenuous peace. And even after ushering in a new era, there still remained corners of the kingdom which knew no rest. Even now, humans continued to roam the lands.
Those places deserve to be brought into the sunlight, just as Halia would someday stand proud yet again. Will knows just how deeply Strohl cherishes this place. He'd worn a reminder of it upon his back, his blade mounted there as well, perhaps a constant reminder of how defending something precious required using one's own hands. Yet another reminder hangs around Strohl's neck, metal resting against his sternum to match the crest inked upon his shoulder. ]
It's not a bad thing to be prepared.
[ Will's eyes are open once again as he lifts his free hand to rest it atop Strohl's. ]
But... don't let despair swallow why you felt something was worth protecting in the first place.
[ In truth, assassination attempts don't quite make it far to the forefront of Will's mind. It's why he can confidently slip away into the city donning the barest of disguises. But if it would offer Strohl some peace of mind, perhaps he can begin requesting Strohl's company during his escapades.
Will returns Strohl's smile with one of his own. The frankness permitted by the privacy of Halia is refreshing compared to the trappings of the palace. He can only hope that discussing things unfettered has lightened the weight that's been crushing Strohl's shoulders. ]
I meant it when I said take all the time you need. Though, I hope you see now that someday --
[ Will's words catch in his throat as a sharp pain radiates from his chest. He recognizes the sensation, silently lamenting the fact that this seems to crop up at the most inconvenient of times. The hand atop Strohl's suddenly clenches it tight, the one wrapped around Strohl's hand letting it go as though it had suddenly taken on the temperature of a hot iron. His fingers grasp at his chest instead, breath trembling as his eyes squeeze shut while clinging to Strohl for support.
Despite the agony, Will inhales and grounds himself, eyes opening again as he forces his smile to return while desperately catching his breath. ]
I'm okay, I just -- I need a minute --
[ It's not the first time it's happened, but their respective duties have kept them apart more than Will would have liked, kept them apart for far too long for the phantom pain to strike in front of Strohl. It must be frightening for Strohl to witness, he thinks, even if Will knows the flare-up will pass soon enough.
Yet another reminder he supposes of how, in those quiet moments when he is alone, he still hesitates to truly call himself Euchronia's prince. ]