[The words are comforting, and were he not in the throes of his own emotions, he might have caught the deeper meaning behind that. Instead, he allows the warmth it brings to encompass him. To love and be loved...it seems like such a mundane thing, yet at times an unattainable need.
So, instead, he keeps his face tucked against Hythlodaeus, his eyes closed tightly as tears continue to trail down his cheeks. He's tempted to take Hythlodaeus' offer, but part of him resists it, a larger part of him that cannot abide by the idea of giving his burden to someone else. But for now, for this moment he can suffer it.
Leaning into those circles being rubbing into his scalp, he speaks softly.]
For now...for a time. But know I will not abandon my duty... I cannot, not fully...
no subject
So, instead, he keeps his face tucked against Hythlodaeus, his eyes closed tightly as tears continue to trail down his cheeks. He's tempted to take Hythlodaeus' offer, but part of him resists it, a larger part of him that cannot abide by the idea of giving his burden to someone else. But for now, for this moment he can suffer it.
Leaning into those circles being rubbing into his scalp, he speaks softly.]
For now...for a time. But know I will not abandon my duty... I cannot, not fully...