[ The news of her brother hits closer to home than he anticipates it would. Hearing about the loss of a sibling would always do that to him, hurt nestling like a splinter in his heart. No matter how much he tried to harden his heart to the world and let go of something that everyone told him was not his fault, there was no amount of atonement that would make him believe that.
That Wanda has had to walk through life for however long without her brother is something he can empathize with, at least to a certain degree. With Kerri, he at least wants to believe that she's somewhere out in the galaxy. He hopes. Because the alternative is this.
The devastation and pain that still haunts her, the admission that she has never thought her life important, roots him to the core. When the lights flicker he doesn't move, and all but erases the instinct for him to pull away when she reaches for his hand. And when it tightens around his, he grips back.
There's so much more he wants to say. He wants to fiercely tell her that her life is important; and if she wouldn't take the word of a guy she's only known a month or so here then she should think about what her brother would say. Instead he swallows, voice softening. ]
You made sure I ate. You're staying here to make sure that my hitchhiker doesn't return. All of that sounds like you're helping me.
( he may really just be a guy she's only known for a month, and she may have come here to help him instead of finding some solace for herself, but— cassian doesn't draw his hand back, only holds tighter onto her own. every small thing that he thinks about and doesn't say, it pulses stronger into her telepathic net, and wanda doesn't 'hear' it in her mind so much as she feels it.
an unwavering warmth, a fierce urge of protectiveness bolstered by deep understanding.
(it feels wonderful to connect like this. to not be left on her own ocean of grief, running out of air and sinking.)
with a sniffle, wanda brings her other hand up to rub at her eyes, the overwhelming sensation drawing tears to her eyes. here, now, she presents as vulnerable and open to cassian; a guy she's only known a month or so, but someone whom she would like to consider a friend, if he'd let her. someone worth trusting, at least. )
...my brother's name was Pietro. I'd — like for him to be remembered, by others, sometimes.
( she says, softly. and because it's true—that she is helping, and he is letting her, she adds, )
[ Cassian doesn't have powers like Wanda does. He can't feel the way others feel - good or bad. But he understands that concept. Of a person who is simply there, telling you that they'll stay no matter. The act of that is a balm and has been a balm for him more times than he'd like to admit. Especially as the days have stretched on for him the more he does for the rebellion and for Luthen and the more blood that begins to stain his hands.
Even as she begins to cry he stays there, resolute. The name of her brother - her twin - hangs in the air between like a phantom presence. A ghost that she carries with her now and always. It's something he understands. This sentiment of a loved one being remembered by others that they trust.
No one he knows has ever met Kerri. The thought of her memory, her existence, snuffing out should something, when something, happens to him is makes his heart clench. ]
I'll remember him.
[ As for the quiet resignation, well. His lips quirk slightly at that. ]
( with their hands together, intertwined, wanda feels reluctant to let go, of putting back some distance between them. she can feel the plastic of his pinky against her hand, but that's okay. maybe he won't feel it, and it'll make him forget of his current plight of turning plastic.
though she agrees that she'll stay until he finishes his dinner, wanda stays for longer, a few more hours, keeping him company, reading the magazines that he has in a corner of the room, making herself at home on his bed—all the while he putters away with C4T, works on his own little projects; until sleep threatens to close her eyes does she get up, putting her boots back on, and promising him that she's a call away.
this company—it was definitely something she needed, quiet and subtle. hopefully it did him good, too, even if they hadn't run into either of their mannequins. )
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no subject
That Wanda has had to walk through life for however long without her brother is something he can empathize with, at least to a certain degree.
With Kerri, he at least wants to believe that she's somewhere out in the galaxy. He hopes. Because the alternative is this.
The devastation and pain that still haunts her, the admission that she has never thought her life important, roots him to the core. When the lights flicker he doesn't move, and all but erases the instinct for him to pull away when she reaches for his hand. And when it tightens around his, he grips back.
There's so much more he wants to say. He wants to fiercely tell her that her life is important; and if she wouldn't take the word of a guy she's only known a month or so here then she should think about what her brother would say. Instead he swallows, voice softening. ]
You made sure I ate. You're staying here to make sure that my hitchhiker doesn't return. All of that sounds like you're helping me.
no subject
an unwavering warmth, a fierce urge of protectiveness bolstered by deep understanding.
(it feels wonderful to connect like this. to not be left on her own ocean of grief, running out of air and sinking.)
with a sniffle, wanda brings her other hand up to rub at her eyes, the overwhelming sensation drawing tears to her eyes. here, now, she presents as vulnerable and open to cassian; a guy she's only known a month or so, but someone whom she would like to consider a friend, if he'd let her. someone worth trusting, at least. )
...my brother's name was Pietro. I'd — like for him to be remembered, by others, sometimes.
( she says, softly. and because it's true—that she is helping, and he is letting her, she adds, )
Okay. I can stay with you for a bit longer.
( maybe she, too, needs the company. )
no subject
Even as she begins to cry he stays there, resolute. The name of her brother - her twin - hangs in the air between like a phantom presence. A ghost that she carries with her now and always. It's something he understands. This sentiment of a loved one being remembered by others that they trust.
No one he knows has ever met Kerri. The thought of her memory, her existence, snuffing out should something, when something, happens to him is makes his heart clench. ]
I'll remember him.
[ As for the quiet resignation, well. His lips quirk slightly at that. ]
Until I finish my dinner, right?
🎀 !!
though she agrees that she'll stay until he finishes his dinner, wanda stays for longer, a few more hours, keeping him company, reading the magazines that he has in a corner of the room, making herself at home on his bed—all the while he putters away with C4T, works on his own little projects; until sleep threatens to close her eyes does she get up, putting her boots back on, and promising him that she's a call away.
this company—it was definitely something she needed, quiet and subtle. hopefully it did him good, too, even if they hadn't run into either of their mannequins. )