Angel is not the first to give Gaeta permission to grieve. There was Crichton's father at the Visitor's Center; there was Celestine herself at the dance last month. He has let himself break before -- as much as he can while staying within the bounds of functionality, at least. Easy to patch up after, so everyone, most of all him, can dismiss the sorrow as a quick, passing thing.
But to shatter entirely. Gods. What comes after that?
Just this. We'll put the pieces back together.
The weight is heavier than it's ever been, and so much nearer. The gloved hand not braced on his cane rises. Gaeta doesn't think, not entirely: he just clutches Angel's fingers where they rest against his cheek, as one hot tear, then another and another, fall against their hands.
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Angel is not the first to give Gaeta permission to grieve. There was Crichton's father at the Visitor's Center; there was Celestine herself at the dance last month. He has let himself break before -- as much as he can while staying within the bounds of functionality, at least. Easy to patch up after, so everyone, most of all him, can dismiss the sorrow as a quick, passing thing.
But to shatter entirely. Gods. What comes after that?
Just this. We'll put the pieces back together.
The weight is heavier than it's ever been, and so much nearer. The gloved hand not braced on his cane rises. Gaeta doesn't think, not entirely: he just clutches Angel's fingers where they rest against his cheek, as one hot tear, then another and another, fall against their hands.