[it isn't self-preservation that has his arm lifting. it isn't about pain, either-- the priest's tolerance is rather high, despite his often complaints to the contrary. none-the-less, his hand is lifting and coming to grasp Charles' wrist, but he doesn't make any further moves beyond that. his fingers are tightening, but... the gesture is just as plaintive and imploring as the look in his eyes still on those of the Chiropteran.
he won't hurt him... not even in self defense. if Charles wanted to break every bone in his body, there was a sincere chance that Abel would simply sit there and let him. it was because he understood that there is a lesson here to be learned that only experience could teach, even if it broke his heart for that to be the case. if he could impart that lesson in words -- he absolutely would.
but sometimes it took hurting those around you and feeling the emptiness of the pain it caused to realize it wasn't what you wanted, needed, at all. to fall down low, fester in pain and loneliness, to be picked up by someone else, to realize that relying on another might not be so bad. that some people -can- be trusted. that the world is not such a terrible place, after all... if you don't make it your enemy.]
...The only enemy you're making is yourself.
[he can try fighting it all, but in the end, all this boy is doing is destroying pieces of himself. it might even be some masochism that drives him-- Lord knows that is a familiar prospect. but...
...Charles. is this what it will take to open your eyes? trying to break everything, and having people still there for you even if you succeed? having people there, unconditionally, despite tantrums and arrogance and outrage?
Abel isn't going anywhere, regardless.]
I'm still-- your friend. Please don't do this to yourself.
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he won't hurt him... not even in self defense. if Charles wanted to break every bone in his body, there was a sincere chance that Abel would simply sit there and let him. it was because he understood that there is a lesson here to be learned that only experience could teach, even if it broke his heart for that to be the case. if he could impart that lesson in words -- he absolutely would.
but sometimes it took hurting those around you and feeling the emptiness of the pain it caused to realize it wasn't what you wanted, needed, at all. to fall down low, fester in pain and loneliness, to be picked up by someone else, to realize that relying on another might not be so bad. that some people -can- be trusted. that the world is not such a terrible place, after all... if you don't make it your enemy.]
...The only enemy you're making is yourself.
[he can try fighting it all, but in the end, all this boy is doing is destroying pieces of himself. it might even be some masochism that drives him-- Lord knows that is a familiar prospect. but...
...Charles. is this what it will take to open your eyes? trying to break everything, and having people still there for you even if you succeed? having people there, unconditionally, despite tantrums and arrogance and outrage?
Abel isn't going anywhere, regardless.]
I'm still-- your friend. Please don't do this to yourself.