[It should move him what of a heart he has left to see the subtle signs of a struggle that came with an admission that was perhaps years in the making. But his features remain firmly set, his eyes cool. Only the telling ripple of a muscle in his jaw exposes his veneer of composure for what it is.]
But you did not.
[He answers, matter of factly. Met with these words that could do nothing to bring years of his life back, all he can think to do is to nod softly after a moment, the barest of smiles returning as if to reassure Hector that it was okay. Everything would be okay. That all was forgiven.
It was his own fault, too, and there was not a day that passed when he did not rue having expected too much in the ways of recognition and approval from that that bloated leech. Having both been judged and scorned by man, he’d thought at least this much would form the foundation of a bond between himself and the dark lord. A sense of being wanted, being needed, belonging. A reason to live. That was what had mattered. And what terrible things he had done, willingly, in search of that approval.]
no subject
But you did not.
[He answers, matter of factly. Met with these words that could do nothing to bring years of his life back, all he can think to do is to nod softly after a moment, the barest of smiles returning as if to reassure Hector that it was okay. Everything would be okay. That all was forgiven.
It was his own fault, too, and there was not a day that passed when he did not rue having expected too much in the ways of recognition and approval from that that bloated leech. Having both been judged and scorned by man, he’d thought at least this much would form the foundation of a bond between himself and the dark lord. A sense of being wanted, being needed, belonging. A reason to live. That was what had mattered. And what terrible things he had done, willingly, in search of that approval.]