"eh, it isn't your fault, austere." houdini managed a shrug. "there is no reason for him to be acting that way. i'll give him a spankin' if i see him out again." of course he would never really hurt his mentor's kid.
he'd just get his message across.
"ay...." the male turned to his brother as the words spilled out of him. was that... a tear? frowning with concern, he took another step towards him. it wasn't long before he began embracing lovino for a second time ; however this time he remained close to him for much longer. "now you listen. sangfroid is not going to die - especially when you're the one giving him a reason to live. a reason to fight. shit, he may not ever be able to speak again, or walk, or see. but the love he has for you is eternal, something that will never go away. you hear?" the tom felt a lump rising in his own throat.\
"now, i'm supposed to tell you that crying won't do shit for you. you know, go through the lecture of how getting all teary-eyed is a sign of weakness ; and i'm sure dad would be happy if i said that. but i'm not gonna. that isn't true, either. you can cry, lovino. no one is going to judge you. you've been put through hell, yet you've been strong for so long. you've been strong long enough. its your turn to let it out before you fuckin' explode."
