[ His usual scar has been overtaken by a much larger streak in the same spot; it cleaves halfway across his face, with more bleeding down his neck. But Hunter knows what Donnie’s talking about, of course. The fact that his scar is bigger now really just proves Donnie’s argument even more.
He listens to all of that, and … you know what? He DOES appreciate a clear and direct explanation. After years of walking on eggshells, trying to anticipate Belos, reading his every move like tea leaves for hints of approval or disapproval…
Yeah. He ducks his head a bit, eyes swimming. ]
I guess I still don’t really know how to do that. It’s - hard when you’re used to the outcome being a threat, or worse.
[Leo just... watches that. Listens to Donnie and then Hunter. Trying not to think about how something in the back of his head just burns while they talk about their brother squabbles and their family.]
Not to like. Minimize what you've gone through or anything - because clearly there's unresolved issues that a loooot of therapy will help, but like. I kinda get it? I mean, there's a reason we made a pact to lie to our dad. Like, he loves us, he'd do anything for us, but also? Real scary sometimes.
So... It takes time. And you'll get there. Got us and plenty of others around here who clearly care about you to help you figure it out.
Though the scary is more it doesn't feel good to have him angry or worse, disappointed in us. Maybe the punishments for the pact stuff, but as much as we want to avoid it, we wouldn't ever fear for our literal lives.
But....but it's like the story I told you before. When dad lied to me and I got angry. When I wanted to pull from the contest, he started to get mad until he saw how upset I was. He realized he couldn't be mad because HE had messed up. He admitted fault. I doubt Belos has ever done so.
[He nods in agreement.] There are a lot of people to help you. You can also figure out what you can and can't handle as you do. Maybe arguments won't ever be okay and that's fine.
Apologies that put the fault on you are not apologies. [Absolutely parroting that from Mikey.]
That's because you're a very likable person. [Lightly nudges his shoulder with the back of his hand before he has to pull back.] And we're pretty good at helping people adjust to some sense of normalcy. You should have seen the growing pains we had with Cassandra.
She fought with April all the time, broke a lot of things on accident and on purpose because she forgot she shouldn't break things, and she yells like all the time.
She has a tendency to drive me up a wall. It took a while before she and I managed to really communicate properly. Oddly, it was Barry who helped mediate that.
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He listens to all of that, and … you know what? He DOES appreciate a clear and direct explanation. After years of walking on eggshells, trying to anticipate Belos, reading his every move like tea leaves for hints of approval or disapproval…
Yeah. He ducks his head a bit, eyes swimming. ]
I guess I still don’t really know how to do that. It’s - hard when you’re used to the outcome being a threat, or worse.
[ He does touch his own scar here. ]
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Not to like. Minimize what you've gone through or anything - because clearly there's unresolved issues that a loooot of therapy will help, but like. I kinda get it? I mean, there's a reason we made a pact to lie to our dad. Like, he loves us, he'd do anything for us, but also? Real scary sometimes.
So... It takes time. And you'll get there. Got us and plenty of others around here who clearly care about you to help you figure it out.
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But....but it's like the story I told you before. When dad lied to me and I got angry. When I wanted to pull from the contest, he started to get mad until he saw how upset I was. He realized he couldn't be mad because HE had messed up. He admitted fault. I doubt Belos has ever done so.
[He nods in agreement.] There are a lot of people to help you. You can also figure out what you can and can't handle as you do. Maybe arguments won't ever be okay and that's fine.
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Belos has never admitted fault in his life. At least - nothing other than “I’m so sorry you made me hurt you.”
[ DEEP BREATH. even he knows that ain’t kosher now. ]
But - yeah. Tons of people here. And in the Human Realm too, and … I don’t know how I managed it, but I’m glad.
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That's because you're a very likable person. [Lightly nudges his shoulder with the back of his hand before he has to pull back.] And we're pretty good at helping people adjust to some sense of normalcy. You should have seen the growing pains we had with Cassandra.
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Yeah. I - guess I do have all of you now.
Who’s Cassandra?
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Woman who was an enemy, then changed sides at the last second. Pretty sure it's because she got to know dad, but she's a friend now.
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She fought with April all the time, broke a lot of things on accident and on purpose because she forgot she shouldn't break things, and she yells like all the time.
She has a tendency to drive me up a wall. It took a while before she and I managed to really communicate properly. Oddly, it was Barry who helped mediate that.
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Who's Barry again?
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[They've taken in TWO. And a random cannon fodder.]
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[Said as the guy who still has not completely forgiven Draxum.]
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Draxum was all Mikey though. He was very determined on reforming him.
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Señor Hueso is absolutely my favorite uncle, he just hasn't accepted his position in the family yet.
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You and Shirou, though Shirou is just me so far.
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Shirou's pretty nice, though. I don't blame you.
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[NOT IMPRESSED YET.]
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He is nice. He helped a lot until Leo showed up.
You as well, but in different functions.
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1/2
[He looks so caught for a moment]
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[Waves a hand in the air.]
Just.
Having someone that just...understood. Who I could figure out how to talk to.
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