[ Angeal doesn't let go, nor does he step back far, but he doesn't press himself closer, either. Letting Sephiroth find his own pace... and processing himself, also, what did happen. Taking the moment, too, to consider properly why things broke, and, yes, he can see, a little, how him taking in the pain would have turned Sephiroth away - not from Angeal. But from Sephiroth himself.
Ah.
Why...
He doesn't flinch back at the question, but he does consider, eyes still on Sephiroth. ]
There are many answers to that one. Some are selfish, others painful, and the deepest ones probably hard to believe, and all of them are true.
I want you. I see nothing for myself unless I am by your side, and I don't see anything getting better for you unless I am by yours, too. I need to atone, for leaving you alone when you needed me most. I also want to find out who you are now. Yes, you did horrible things, but how much was you not fighting another's will, and how much is what you would have done free of it? It makes a difference to me, even if nothing can take back what has been done.
When all is said and done...
The men we used to be are gone. The men who were heroes, the men who wanted to end that which creates suffering. [ His shoulders drip in shame, just a little, but he doesn't let his gaze drop. ] I'm here because I believe there is someone worth staying for, right in front of me. Who is in constant pain, and sees no path forward that makes any difference. And I want to find that hidden path. With you. I want to find out who we will become. Together, as we always should have been.
Why? Because even as you are, you are still my light in the darkness. Even if you don't believe you can be. Even if I am drawn like a moth to a flame - it is better than despair. But I won't burn that easily.
no subject
Ah.
Why...
He doesn't flinch back at the question, but he does consider, eyes still on Sephiroth. ]
There are many answers to that one. Some are selfish, others painful, and the deepest ones probably hard to believe, and all of them are true.
I want you. I see nothing for myself unless I am by your side, and I don't see anything getting better for you unless I am by yours, too. I need to atone, for leaving you alone when you needed me most. I also want to find out who you are now. Yes, you did horrible things, but how much was you not fighting another's will, and how much is what you would have done free of it? It makes a difference to me, even if nothing can take back what has been done.
When all is said and done...
The men we used to be are gone. The men who were heroes, the men who wanted to end that which creates suffering. [ His shoulders drip in shame, just a little, but he doesn't let his gaze drop. ] I'm here because I believe there is someone worth staying for, right in front of me. Who is in constant pain, and sees no path forward that makes any difference. And I want to find that hidden path. With you. I want to find out who we will become. Together, as we always should have been.
Why? Because even as you are, you are still my light in the darkness. Even if you don't believe you can be. Even if I am drawn like a moth to a flame - it is better than despair. But I won't burn that easily.