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[holyposition]

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t.laughlin

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[kobes]

I know.
I mean
I can feel it.

I more meant how bad a state are they in?

[holyposition]

Aegon's drunk and Aemond's spiraling. His mood changes every 2 seconds on a good day, what do you think it's like now?

What about you?

[kobes]

Bad. I think it's bad.
I haven't been checking regularly, but if you're there too, I'll keep watch, just
In case. Just in case.

What about me?

[holyposition]

In case of what?

Koby. You love her the same as I do.

[ More, probably. Tim said he would be there, and he wasn't. ]

[kobes]

In case there's some sort of fight or altercation or something.

[He doesn't say in case Aemond snaps and lashes out, but the thoughts there.]

If I dwell on it I won't be any help. I can't think about it.
She'll be fine. She'll come back.

[holyposition]

There won't be.

[ He knows what he means. There won't be. ]

It doesn't make it hurt less. It didn't last time, either.

[kobes]

Tim. You can't predict that. Especially not with Daemon involved, however distantly.

I'm angry. I'm so angry it's scaring me. It shouldn't have been her.

[holyposition]

He doesn't think Daemon did it. So unless he shows up to antagonize them, it'll be fine.

[ If only a fight were our biggest concern regarding Daemon! ]

No, it shouldn't have been. I feel like
like I should have been there. After last time, I promised her this wouldn't happen again.

[kobes]

But he doesn't KNOW.
And Daemon might decide now is the perfect time to show up and start a fight.
If something happens, you need to tell me and Hawk and Quentin at LEAST. Maybe more people. Daemon's not afraid of killing, remember.

Tim, that's not remotely true. You couldn't have known. And you were giving her space.

[holyposition]

If there was even a chance, one of them would be dead right along with her.

I know he's crazy, but I don't think it was him. They described it more like she was mauled, not stabbed or slashed.

I was giving her space because I put Aemond's feelings over hers. And I did it again last night, we were making out at Otherworld while she was bleeding out.

[kobes]

He could be waiting or biding his time or something.
I'm not saying to run away and leave them vulnerable, I'm saying be careful. There are people here who will celebrate this.

It wasn't your fault. If it wasn't mine, for not keeping a close enough watch, it wasn't yours.

[holyposition]

Can you keep an eye on him? With your haki?

[ Sorry Koby he's not arguing with you, catholic guilt go brrrrr ]

[kobes]

Yes. I have been, since I heard the news. Him and you and Aemond and Aegon.

[Not Catholic, but the guilt is still there -- he should've been watching Alicent too, should've been using this stupid, frustrating, overwhelming power to do something useful, instead of drowning it in Otherworld.]

[holyposition]

Don’t overextend yourself, okay? You don’t need to keep an eye on me at least, I can tell you if anything changes.

[kobes]

Tim, please remember who you're talking to. If I have to limit myself, its going to be to JUST you.

But I won't, because I can handle it. Just like listening to a couple radio stations at once.

[holyposition]

That's really sweet, but I'm not the one who needs it most, or a potential threat.

But okay. I believe you, and I trust you, I just can't deal with your head exploding while someone's dead again.

[kobes]

I can't lose you too. I can't do it. I don't care if it's selfish, I'm not letting that happen.

It won't. I'm stronger now. It gets easier every day.

[A soft press, a mental nudge, the equivalent of an embrace, warm and protective and sizzling with something deliriously powerful, wrapped around Tim like a shield.]

See?

[holyposition]

[ Bright yellow’s faded into tarnished, crumbling rust. Love still flows through him freely, but it isn’t joyful, woven close with fear, with worry, with guilt. Guilt on guilt on more guilt, so many layers of it that he can barely think, only serve, in hopes of alleviating even a little bit of it. Tim feels Koby reaching out, and he’s still not used to the sensation that goes along with it, but for a second, the slightest second, he relaxes. Exhales without his chin wobbling with a barely repressed sob. ]

Yeah. Thank you.

You look after me, so I can look after them. If you need anything

Well, I’m sure Quentin’s got you covered

But if you need him, talk to Hawk. Between the two of you I’ll be fine.

[kobes]

[It's still difficult to use the full extent of what's awoken -- as a weapon or even as defense, the myriad purposes of such power still escaping Koby, even after weeks of practice. But this, at least, he can do. He can nudge that blushing pink warmth up against the pained, grieving, guilty mess of Tim's mind, embrace him fully and unflinching, whisper I'm here, I'm here, I'm here as many times as it takes. That part comes effortlessly.]

Right. I take care of you, you take care of them, we take care of each other, and it'll end eventually. She'll come back and tell us off for worrying so much.

He does. [Quentin’s got him, even when he doesn't ask for it, even when he doesn't think to need it.]

I'll keep an eye on him too, just to be safe. Make sure he's sleeping. Make sure YOU'RE sleeping, because you're no help unrested.

[holyposition]

[ Still not confident that Alicent wjll want to talk to him even to scold him, but maybe. It changed Hawk. ]

I'll sleep, I promise. Whenever Aemond does.

No idea how this sleeping arrangement is supposed to work, but I will.

[kobes]

Do you think he will? He feels
Not anywhere close to restful.

You could push a couple beds together, maybe. Or make up one of the couches. Would princes deign to sleep on couches?

[holyposition]

He'll have to wear himself out eventually.
I can relax him, usually. But it's different with Aegon around.

Doubtful. But I could, if need be. It's not the same as sharing with you and Quentin.

[kobes]

I can't imagine. They're both a mess, I'm sure. I hate that this is happening, but
I'm glad he has you. I'm glad he isn't alone in this.

No, obviously. Nobody hogs blankets like Quentin.
I miss that. I miss how simple things felt in the summer. I'm glad they're better, with you and Hawk, but...

[holyposition]

They are. Of course they are. They lost their father less than a year ago, and Aegon’s son, and now their mother, even if it’s temporary. It’s messed up.

Yeah. I kinda miss it too. Back when the worst thing that was happening was arguing with Hawk.

Should I dump him? Maybe that would fix everything.

[ jk jk.... ]

[kobes]

It is, yeah. Temporary doesn't make it feel better. Do you think she'll be different, like Hawk, when she comes back?

Well, let's not go overboard. Though a sleepover might be nice, when things settle down a bit.
Not necessarily like THAT, either.

Besides, I don't want you to dump Hawk. He and I talked, he apologized, he's on my good list again.