And you can continue. If I must, I can train you. (Normally, he wouldn't offer to such an amateur- hell. Koby wasn't even an amateur. At least not by Mihawk's standards, but if it helped alleviate some of Koby's worries in this place, then why not? Besides, it would help pass the days. He tells himself none of this has to do with wanting to help give Koby a reason to stop crying.
He notices the fractures minimizing and watches as Koby seems to come back to life with each tear.
Then Koby is looking at him with large, wet eyes and Mihawk feels a strange, foreign notch in the pit of his chest. He finds himself staring back, completely unflinching, coming to a stop yet again in the middle of their home. He could put Koby down. That was what he had planned to do all of five seconds ago, but suddenly, it's the last thing he wants to do. He exhales, finally blinking, and shakes his head.)
You have no need to worry about me. I'm closer to the end of my days than you are. This may as well be an annoying forced early retirement. (Mihawk was only middle-aged and not that old, but with his track record back home, he always felt significantly older than he was, and the years before him had seemed to stretch out endlessly.)
...It is upsetting in some ways. But in other ways, I feel empty about it. It wasn't as if there was much of interest back home. Everything felt a bit monotonous.
(He does wind up moving to the couch, but sits down and just...Holds Koby. Mostly because he felt like perhaps this honesty was helping. He also wasn't sure if Koby would still be delicate and he didn't want to risk breaking him by forcing him to rest on the couch. Mihawk felt his own body was just a more secure option. Or something.
A bit of surprise sparks in his eyes because, wait a second.)
You're...(What's even the word.)
Being rather compassionate toward me.
(No one did that??? On top of the honesty? Crying in his arms? ? ? ?
This place really was leading him down a path he had never imagined. Then Koby is telling him how mentally secure he felt, and well.)
I must admit...I do feel the same. (Strange? Probably. Bad? Definitely. Something he was willing to change? No. He looks away from Koby, staring across their room, what they have already made of it. An obvious contrast of their preferences and personalities throughout the living room, not much, but enough, and yet it felt cohesive and comfortable.)
I think perhaps...(A beat.) I have grown fond of you in some way. I recognize your footsteps and your breathing by now. (And because he can't be too soft!!! He adds on:)
I wonder if this must be how it feels for people when they become fond of a pet? (He smirks at Koby a little, maybe trying to make Koby smile or annoyed or something.)
no subject
He notices the fractures minimizing and watches as Koby seems to come back to life with each tear.
Then Koby is looking at him with large, wet eyes and Mihawk feels a strange, foreign notch in the pit of his chest. He finds himself staring back, completely unflinching, coming to a stop yet again in the middle of their home. He could put Koby down. That was what he had planned to do all of five seconds ago, but suddenly, it's the last thing he wants to do. He exhales, finally blinking, and shakes his head.)
You have no need to worry about me. I'm closer to the end of my days than you are. This may as well be an annoying forced early retirement. (Mihawk was only middle-aged and not that old, but with his track record back home, he always felt significantly older than he was, and the years before him had seemed to stretch out endlessly.)
...It is upsetting in some ways. But in other ways, I feel empty about it. It wasn't as if there was much of interest back home. Everything felt a bit monotonous.
(He does wind up moving to the couch, but sits down and just...Holds Koby. Mostly because he felt like perhaps this honesty was helping. He also wasn't sure if Koby would still be delicate and he didn't want to risk breaking him by forcing him to rest on the couch. Mihawk felt his own body was just a more secure option. Or something.
A bit of surprise sparks in his eyes because, wait a second.)
You're...(What's even the word.)
Being rather compassionate toward me.
(No one did that??? On top of the honesty? Crying in his arms? ? ? ?
This place really was leading him down a path he had never imagined. Then Koby is telling him how mentally secure he felt, and well.)
I must admit...I do feel the same. (Strange? Probably. Bad? Definitely. Something he was willing to change? No. He looks away from Koby, staring across their room, what they have already made of it. An obvious contrast of their preferences and personalities throughout the living room, not much, but enough, and yet it felt cohesive and comfortable.)
I think perhaps...(A beat.) I have grown fond of you in some way. I recognize your footsteps and your breathing by now. (And because he can't be too soft!!! He adds on:)
I wonder if this must be how it feels for people when they become fond of a pet? (He smirks at Koby a little, maybe trying to make Koby smile or annoyed or something.)