Yeah, I remember taking a hit that no one could have survived. [It's still so surreal to him, though. He doesn't feel dead, even if the trauma is there, even if he remembers the pain so acutely that he wakes up in agony only to touch an unmarked chest, even if he knows it's so far away at the same time that it's messing with him.] It's just messed up, I shouldn't have my flames, and I shouldn't be alive, and this place is a pain. But I like it. I'm not gonna mess up this round, and I mean it. It's just messing with my mind that this is even happening.
[Laughs softly.] Yeah, fuck. I didn't even remember dying, but at first I thought I must have, everything was so crazy. Sometimes I still think this is purgatory or... something.
But it's too normal for that.
They say we're here to demonstrate life. Isn't that weird? I guess less weird for you. But why the fuck would anyone want me to demonstrate anything other than how to punch things and get in trouble?
You're handling it better than the rest of us did. Believe it or not.
[There's a quiet moment then, and Ace speaks in a surprisingly soft voice for him.] I dunno. You're pretty good at a lot more than punching things and getting into trouble. [He's good at making Ace feel safe and alive, and giving him a wild point of stability in a place of chaos.] I do my best. [He shrugs, and then winces as his hand gets licked. Didn't expect that.]
[Tugs him into a gruffer hug and gently noogies.] Now you're just telling yourself that.
And you are, brat.
If I was a hundredth as good with others as you, I'd actually be Guardian, for starters. And I wouldn't have shrugged off the world for a few months to let it all pass me by.
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But it's too normal for that.
They say we're here to demonstrate life. Isn't that weird? I guess less weird for you. But why the fuck would anyone want me to demonstrate anything other than how to punch things and get in trouble?
You're handling it better than the rest of us did. Believe it or not.
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And you are, brat.
If I was a hundredth as good with others as you, I'd actually be Guardian, for starters. And I wouldn't have shrugged off the world for a few months to let it all pass me by.