No, it wasn't. Even if you are the dreamer, that doesn't make any of this your fault, Sora.
[Tiernan reaches out to lay a hand against Sora's back.]
Not only were you unaware, but you have Shea and Lucina and that dark Entity twisting and manipulating everything. They are the reason for all this suffering. Not you. You're as much a victim as anyone else.
Tiernan's hand leaves Sora's back but only for his arm to wrap around the boy instead.]
Hush. Chosen of the keyblade or not, weight of the worlds or not, you are a child. A child in a nightmare, unknowing, at the mercy of people who have none.
Now that you know, you have a chance to change things. To fight back.
[Tiernan sighs quietly and his arms tighten a little. There's no restraint to it; any movement Sora makes is accommodated. But his hold is steady and firm. Supportive.]
[When the realization comes that Tiernan is fully given in to supporting him, he sobs a little more heavily. He presses to him, close, as if Tiernan could protect him from the world. Protect him from himself.
The crying lasts awhile.
Eventually, he becomes spent, and lies silently against the older man, completely deflated.]
[Tiernan hums quietly to Sora as he cries, something soft and soothing though unfamiliar. He's no bard but he isn't incapable of carrying a tune. He doesn't try to hush him or do anything, really, but be there for Sora. Let him get it out.
As the exhausted slump happens, Tiernan gently ruffles his fingers through the teen's hair.]
[Tiernan can't protect him from the world or himself. He knows that.
Yet, this is... the safest that he's felt in awhile. It's been some time since he truly allowed himself vulnerability with someone. He wasn't expecting it to be Tiernan, but maybe the lack of closeness he had with Tiernan that he didn't have with the rest of his family was exactly what he needed.
When the fingers card through his spikes, a great big sigh releases from him, and he further slumps into him, letting him take some of the weight so he didn't have to carry it all himself. Just for a little bit...
The words have his body quaking a bit, and he slowly inhales a shuddery breath, before he gives a nod.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[. . .
Slowly raising an eyebrow.]
Uh, what?
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[Tiernan clicks his tongue thoughtfully.]
I've been... in contact, on and off, with an ambient presence since I tested the stability of this reality during the scavenger hunt.
Last night, after Lucas told us this is a dream, I got a response that was a fairly clear marker of identity. Sora, lonely and in pain.
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His expression rapidly tenses. Slowly, his gaze goes to the abyss in front of them.]
And you think... it's me...
[After a moment, his hand comes to his head. He gives a little chuckle and it's dark.]
Everyone's suffering... was my fault this whole time.
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[Tiernan reaches out to lay a hand against Sora's back.]
Not only were you unaware, but you have Shea and Lucina and that dark Entity twisting and manipulating everything. They are the reason for all this suffering. Not you. You're as much a victim as anyone else.
1/2
[Another laugh, though it borders on a sob. He leans back into the touch.]
Fuck...
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Tiernan's hand leaves Sora's back but only for his arm to wrap around the boy instead.]
Hush. Chosen of the keyblade or not, weight of the worlds or not, you are a child. A child in a nightmare, unknowing, at the mercy of people who have none.
Now that you know, you have a chance to change things. To fight back.
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And then Sora turns and curls into Tiernan.]
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The crying lasts awhile.
Eventually, he becomes spent, and lies silently against the older man, completely deflated.]
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As the exhausted slump happens, Tiernan gently ruffles his fingers through the teen's hair.]
You don't have to face this alone.
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Yet, this is... the safest that he's felt in awhile. It's been some time since he truly allowed himself vulnerability with someone. He wasn't expecting it to be Tiernan, but maybe the lack of closeness he had with Tiernan that he didn't have with the rest of his family was exactly what he needed.
When the fingers card through his spikes, a great big sigh releases from him, and he further slumps into him, letting him take some of the weight so he didn't have to carry it all himself. Just for a little bit...
The words have his body quaking a bit, and he slowly inhales a shuddery breath, before he gives a nod.
His voice is quiet.]
Thanks, Tiernan.