[the shock continues, followed by confusion and uncertainty, something that Annie can feel clearly. but even so, on instinct, Catra holds out a hand, fingers gently curled a she continues to stare]
I-- but I--
[guilt, again. . . because after all, she killed one of Annie's precious summers]
[and sometimes you never stop thinking of yourself as being a part of something even though you left to be with your girlfriend!! her fingers curl tightly around Annie's hands as she continues to stare, disbelief and uncertainty suddenly filling the air]
[SOMETIMES YOU ARE EXTREMELY EEMOTIONAL EVEN WHEN YOU PRETEND NOT TO BE!!]
[surprisingly, she leans into the hug, nose pressed against Annie's shoulder as she returns it. her crying is quiet, at least, but it's still very obviously crying]
I'm sorry, I just-- [. . . what does she say?] I was trying to. . . I thought that I was--
[helping her? freeing her? . . . she doesn't really know. her intentions were "good" but the result of them still feels. . . so, so bad]
[ it's not that hard of a leap to take, the idea that just killing byleth would be a blessing at this point. and she's sure other people might think the same thing; byleth had been so relieved when she was caught. ]
I know... but everything that happened? You don't deserve that.
[there's a red flush to her cheeks, but it's hard to think about feeling embarrassed when there is just so much going on right now. she still feels the heavy weight of her actions-- Byleth's death, Adora's death, that stupid trial, Otome's betrayal and her subsequent response to same-- and despite having put a lid on all of that earlier. . . it returns with a vengeance, filling up the room with bad vibes and misery]
[. . . and yet, underneath that, she feels-- grateful. a small bit of genuine gratefulness directed at Annie. not that she can put words to it right now when she's so overwhelmed]
[but she does grab one of those hands on her face and squeeze it tightly]
[ well. sometimes you really can't quite put words to things. emotions are a complex, dangerous thing, and simple language isn't always enough to properly convey the current of feelings that battle inside a person.
but a simple gesture can, at times.
so when catra squeezes her hand, she'll just gently put her forehead against hers. ]
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[the shock continues, followed by confusion and uncertainty, something that Annie can feel clearly. but even so, on instinct, Catra holds out a hand, fingers gently curled a she continues to stare]
I-- but I--
[guilt, again. . . because after all, she killed one of Annie's precious summers]
no subject
but she takes catra's hand in hers, squeezing it lightly. ]
I wish I could do something for you.
[ it's difficult to keep the tears away, but she manages. ]
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[but then she shucks in a sharp breath]
[ducks her and a little bit]
[and lets out a small, choked sobbing noise]
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and she'll move to actually hug her this time. ]
Oh, Catra...
no subject
[surprisingly, she leans into the hug, nose pressed against Annie's shoulder as she returns it. her crying is quiet, at least, but it's still very obviously crying]
I'm sorry, I just-- [. . . what does she say?] I was trying to. . . I thought that I was--
[helping her? freeing her? . . . she doesn't really know. her intentions were "good" but the result of them still feels. . . so, so bad]
no subject
[ it's not that hard of a leap to take, the idea that just killing byleth would be a blessing at this point. and she's sure other people might think the same thing; byleth had been so relieved when she was caught. ]
I know... but everything that happened? You don't deserve that.
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[a tiny little whisper, her words strained]
Don't. . . I?
[isn't it only fair, that these horrible things would happen to her, after she did something so horrible herself?]
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You don't. And I'm just...
[ she pulls back enough just so that she can cup the side of catra's face with a hand, gently. ]
I'm so sorry for everything that's happened that made you think that you do.
no subject
[there's a red flush to her cheeks, but it's hard to think about feeling embarrassed when there is just so much going on right now. she still feels the heavy weight of her actions-- Byleth's death, Adora's death, that stupid trial, Otome's betrayal and her subsequent response to same-- and despite having put a lid on all of that earlier. . . it returns with a vengeance, filling up the room with bad vibes and misery]
[. . . and yet, underneath that, she feels-- grateful. a small bit of genuine gratefulness directed at Annie. not that she can put words to it right now when she's so overwhelmed]
[but she does grab one of those hands on her face and squeeze it tightly]
no subject
but a simple gesture can, at times.
so when catra squeezes her hand, she'll just gently put her forehead against hers. ]
I'm here.