BBS | Voice

[brynwieldr]

From: Leo
Date: November 17th

[Leo sounds tired as he starts the recording, but this is easier than typing right now. His hands still hurt.]

Now that everyone's had a few days to recover from that disaster, does anyone have any idea what the fuck was going on in that forest?

[He rarely swears, but give him a break here.]

Comments

[onedrinkwithme]

That is rested for me, dearest. There is no need to worry if I will fall on my face or on my wounds, for I am being careful.

[He fell on his face like six times and crashed the tea kettle three.]

[brynwieldr]

You've fallen four times, and that's just while I was here.

[onedrinkwithme]

But I was able to stand afterwards.

[By holding the wall. DON'T JUDGE HIM.]

[brynwieldr]

Aymeric, you used the wall for support. You told me you could handle it when I offered to help. You. Need. Rest!

[Leo stops and sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose when he realizes he's yelling now.]

Sorry.

[onedrinkwithme]

[He's not some flustered child that will shrink back when being scolded. But he is still a stubborn idiot but one who will acknowledge his faults. He must have said something to make him actually yell which is more than likely his refusal.]

No, you should not be. I am...just accustomed to having to shoulder everything myself. That I must otherwise everything will fall apart. Working through pain is commonplace and if I ever showed any sign of weakness...

[And when Ishgard has a frail string of peace, he just could not afford respite. He had capable people but he could only rely on the Scions for so long and Lucia and Handeloup had their own lives. He'd felt guilty for trying to take what lives they had out of work to help him out when he is very capable.]

[brynwieldr]

And believe me, I know how that feels. But I've also seen my brother pull the exact same nonsense. I've pulled the exact same nonsense. I've been on both sides, Aymeric, and it...it hurts to see you refuse to rest!

[Also hurts to admit that. It's weak, and Leo's not looking at Aymeric right now.]

You could have died in that forest, Aymeric.

[onedrinkwithme]

[And the saddest part?]

...I know.

[It's much quieter as he bows his head down, hands gripping his sheets because he thought he was doing good by what he was focused on. Lessen the burden for all but, was it just hurting them in the end?]

There was no time to think for myself, just for those who were danger. I can never put my needs over anyone else's, it would simply feel wrong.

[There's more but he's afraid to admit it: if it was Leo trapped and Aymeric were to rescue him, he would be anything to make sure he made it out safety, including his own life. Now most would assume that he has no self esteem due to this outlook and it's not true. He's simply someone who holds other lives in higher regard than his own.]

It would feel that I had failed somehow if I had chosen myself over another.

[brynwieldr]

Then chose me.

[If that's how Aymeric's going to look at it, then Leo will help.]

Put my needs before yours. I need you to rest and recover. Does that help?

[onedrinkwithme]

[He looks up, a bit stunned.]

Then will you rest as well? If you are entrusting them to me, then I wish for you to not run yourself down.

[brynwieldr]

[Leo nods, still not looking at Aymeric.]

If you promise to rest, I can as well. I still have to go check on Forrest every few hours, but I trust him to rest.

[onedrinkwithme]

[So you know those times when you have the angel and devil beings stand on your shoulder and they are trying to convince you to do the side each fight for? That's like what Aymeric is going through in his mind at the moment: one side telling him to agree while the other is like 'Nah, you got shit to do, you need to do that' and they're bantering until Aymeric decides to smack them off to the side because Fury SHUT UP ALREADY.

Breathing in, he starts to lose that sorrowful expression as his hand goes to reach for Leo's face. It will be hard as hell but he doesn't want to make anyone upset, even if his intentions are good. Finding ways to pass the time that isn't work is gonna be a pain.]

Then I promise. I am sure Forrest will say the same as well.

[brynwieldr]

[Leo finally looks at Aymeric, pointedly ignoring how his eyes are a little misty. He wasn't crying. He wasn't!]

Thank you.

[onedrinkwithme]

[Lies. Aymeric can see it as clear as day, using his thumb to wipe them away.]

I did not mean to make you so upset...it was never my intention.

[brynwieldr]

I know. I don't know why this upsets me so bad.

[onedrinkwithme]

Is it not a sign of caring?

[Using his other hand to try amd pull him a bit closer. There would be no joke about letting the mage get rest but the gesture is gentle.]

[brynwieldr]

Still, I don't cry like this.

[He goes, resting his head against Aymeric's chest.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[Gods is he still sore but Aymeric is capable of adjusting that his stab wound was not in range of touching. He can at least do that much. But he hurts in another way: enough to make someone cry and that stings more than any wound inflicted on him.]

It does not make you less of a person if you show emotion.

[brynwieldr]

Doesn't make it any easier to show it, you know.

[onedrinkwithme]

I know.

[One arm goes around Leo gently as he tries to support him. If it wasn't for the injuries, this would look like a romantic moment but in one way it is. Maybe the idea of healing and closeness can be something to show much to care.]

You need not to hold back on my account.

[brynwieldr]

...let's get back in bed.

[Then he might.]

[onedrinkwithme]

As you wish.

[No struggling this time but if they work together, it would not be as bad to move. And Sukomi won't be glaring daggers for people to rest.]

[brynwieldr]

[Leo manages to get Aymeric to bed without much trouble, sighing when he sits down.]

There.

[onedrinkwithme]

Who says you can remain sitting?

[Nope, he is gently having you lie down as well because you asked for this.]

[brynwieldr]

[Leo laughs as he's tugged down, curling up next to Aymeric.]

I was getting there. I've just...got a lot on my mind.

[onedrinkwithme]

[It's not the ideal way to help but it's something.]

We have time if you wish to speak on it.