[she'll take it back and just allow some silence for byleth to process a little bit, before offering a smile - still tired at the corners, but sincere]
... you plan, you devise, and you invent ways for the people you care for to face less strife in the future, so everyone suffers less. Or at least... that's what I do.
[she looks at her lap again, listlessly trying to organize things mentally—and something seems to click.]
...I didn't realize what I was reacting to.
[so, maintaining the status quo—and coming to terms with its source. when viola speaks again, she looks up, and nods, looking almost a little surprised at the question.]
... well, it's probably not entirely too surprising to have an instinct that drives you to want to protect who and what you care about, even if you don't realize that's what it is.
[but she'll shift then - gingerly wrapping her arms around byleth, careful not to nudge her reattached arm]
But you can work through what that means now that you're aware. And I'm here for you too, if you need any help.
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no subject
... you plan, you devise, and you invent ways for the people you care for to face less strife in the future, so everyone suffers less. Or at least... that's what I do.
[ . . . ]
May I give you a hug, Byleth? I'll be careful.
no subject
[she looks at her lap again, listlessly trying to organize things mentally—and something seems to click.]
...I didn't realize what I was reacting to.
[so, maintaining the status quo—and coming to terms with its source. when viola speaks again, she looks up, and nods, looking almost a little surprised at the question.]
no subject
[but she'll shift then - gingerly wrapping her arms around byleth, careful not to nudge her reattached arm]
But you can work through what that means now that you're aware. And I'm here for you too, if you need any help.
no subject
with her one able arm, she reaches up, around viola, and closes her eyes, ignoring any pain it brings to do so.]
I think... if I spend too much time thinking about it, I feel exhausted.
But sometimes, it's all I think about.
no subject
I don't think there's much to do about those thoughts - doesn't it just affirm how much you must care?
no subject
she nods, sinking her face into viola's shoulder, voice quiet.]
I'll hold on to that.