His words hang in the air between them, oppressive as the silence that follows.
Then Pyra takes his hand, giving it a firm squeeze as if to get his attention. ] ...Can you ask Friday to play back that clip of Pepper and Morgan on the beach? Or...how about when we all had dinner together?
[ Two instances, two memories of when things had been peaceful and fun for him (or so she assumes). The memories might be colored melancholy while looking through his current lens, but the proof is in the past: those moments, he hadn't been hurting anyone. Rather, it's just the opposite. He's bringing joy to those with whom he interacts and cares as well.
...And whether or not Tony asks Friday himself to play such recordings back and it actually happens, she'll continue to speak. Her point isn't the memory itself, but just the gentle reminder that such times exist within his heart too. In the depths of trauma, it can be difficult-- nearly impossible-- to see the greater picture, and the worth one has, the joys one experiences and give. She's sorry that he has experienced such strife, that it continues to plague him to this day. She's sorry that it effects him so, makes him anxious and his voice crack...
But what she's trying to do here is reach in and help. ] It's... such like a hero to look more at the losses than every other good you've done,
[ Her hand strokes over his knuckles again. Everyone who winds up close to him ends up laughing and smiling too, from what she's seen, despite not every interaction being perfect. But no one can be perfect, and relationships are not infallibly smooth all the time. ]
The smiles you bring to others... Myself, Gladio... can't you remember them?
no subject
His words hang in the air between them, oppressive as the silence that follows.
Then Pyra takes his hand, giving it a firm squeeze as if to get his attention. ] ...Can you ask Friday to play back that clip of Pepper and Morgan on the beach? Or...how about when we all had dinner together?
[ Two instances, two memories of when things had been peaceful and fun for him (or so she assumes). The memories might be colored melancholy while looking through his current lens, but the proof is in the past: those moments, he hadn't been hurting anyone. Rather, it's just the opposite. He's bringing joy to those with whom he interacts and cares as well.
...And whether or not Tony asks Friday himself to play such recordings back and it actually happens, she'll continue to speak. Her point isn't the memory itself, but just the gentle reminder that such times exist within his heart too. In the depths of trauma, it can be difficult-- nearly impossible-- to see the greater picture, and the worth one has, the joys one experiences and give. She's sorry that he has experienced such strife, that it continues to plague him to this day. She's sorry that it effects him so, makes him anxious and his voice crack...
But what she's trying to do here is reach in and help. ] It's... such like a hero to look more at the losses than every other good you've done,
[ Her hand strokes over his knuckles again. Everyone who winds up close to him ends up laughing and smiling too, from what she's seen, despite not every interaction being perfect. But no one can be perfect, and relationships are not infallibly smooth all the time. ]
The smiles you bring to others... Myself, Gladio... can't you remember them?