It's not for them. [well, not entirely. though stahn regrets not being able to help—he can't deny that they lived and died by their own beliefs and decisions. it's not his place to diminish that choice.
it doesn't hurt any less, of course. they shouldn't have had to die at all, but yet so many had to suffer and lose their lives for a cause that was so... so awful. he hates it a lot, especially whenever the thought of ilene's helplessness comes to mind. but that's not really the reason he's giving his apologies, and leon should probably be informed as to why.] It's for you.
[how could he not apologize, after all? he's the one dealing blow after blow at a time like this. leon must be overwhelmed by everything that's happening as much as he is, and yet stahn's told him so many painful things. he can't mourn like this, just like stahn couldn't mourn anyone else properly, either. even if leon is better at shoving those feelings down and bringing priority to the forefront, stahn knows all too well how much leon must be hurting.
and maybe that's why stahn goes quiet after leon's last statement. he finally looks up after keeping his head dipped and wild hair from letting his expression show—and his eyes are wide with surprise.
...owed, a debt?
no.
that's not right.]
What—No... you don't owe me anything. [he'd never have let anything happen to marian if it could be helped. she'd been a hostage, and more so... she was important to leon. she was the reason leon took the actions he did, after all. the absolute bare minimum he could do was get her to safety. on top of doing the right thing—because what else would stahn do—carrying out something so important to leon was only natural.
he had to finish the things leon couldn't. that's what friends did in situations like this, stahn's sure of that much.]
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it doesn't hurt any less, of course. they shouldn't have had to die at all, but yet so many had to suffer and lose their lives for a cause that was so... so awful. he hates it a lot, especially whenever the thought of ilene's helplessness comes to mind. but that's not really the reason he's giving his apologies, and leon should probably be informed as to why.] It's for you.
[how could he not apologize, after all? he's the one dealing blow after blow at a time like this. leon must be overwhelmed by everything that's happening as much as he is, and yet stahn's told him so many painful things. he can't mourn like this, just like stahn couldn't mourn anyone else properly, either. even if leon is better at shoving those feelings down and bringing priority to the forefront, stahn knows all too well how much leon must be hurting.
and maybe that's why stahn goes quiet after leon's last statement. he finally looks up after keeping his head dipped and wild hair from letting his expression show—and his eyes are wide with surprise.
...owed, a debt?
no.
that's not right.]
What—No... you don't owe me anything. [he'd never have let anything happen to marian if it could be helped. she'd been a hostage, and more so... she was important to leon. she was the reason leon took the actions he did, after all. the absolute bare minimum he could do was get her to safety. on top of doing the right thing—because what else would stahn do—carrying out something so important to leon was only natural.
he had to finish the things leon couldn't. that's what friends did in situations like this, stahn's sure of that much.]