sleepyhollowed | IC Inbox for redshiftrp

Ah. Ben.

[Just a pinch of hesitation there, awkwardness instilled in his tone. Not dislike, but trepidation, almost fear in saying his name.]

I have... spoken with him. He is quite protective of you.

[Oooooh boy, that doesn't sound super.]

He-he sure is.

[Although it's something Kieran appreciates, he's also sympathetic towards anyone who manages to somehow catch Ben's ire. Then again, considering how gentle his friend is, said person must have messed up spectacularly for that to happen.]

[Which leads to the main question...]

Didja make him mad or somethin'?

Undoubtedly. He contacted me shortly after the, um.

[Incident.]

Well, after what happened, and our chat could have gone better from both of us.

[That’s gonna be a major y i k e s on this end, Carlisle.]

[But Kieran plays it cool.]

[Which means he’s full-on wincing at the prospects of how that conversation could have gone, and is doing absolutely nothing to hide it.]

I’m sure he just needs some time to cool off and then everything will be just fine!

[He’s not very convincing.]

[No, he sure isn't, and his external wincing only makes Carlisle do the same internally. His eyes trail to his gloved hands; no need to maintain eye contact to appear more put-together than he is, he supposes.]

Perhaps. I cannot blame him for what he thinks.

[Sure, Carlisle was irritated when they actually spoke, but to be fair, he was dealing with a lot at that point. They both probably were.]

[It feels like a taboo question to ask, but Kieran can't help it. Despite being at the center of the incident, he truly doesn't know much of what happened between the others involved--and it's something he feels bad about. Hell, he feels guilty for getting attacked in the first place and putting them in that position.]

What'd he say? M-Maybe I can help out.

[A half-dozen things comes to mind. Ben had suggested he'd likely rot, reanimate, and/or strip Kieran of his free will if he tried to heal the man's eyes a second time, and that he wanted to use Kieran as a test subject. Implied he didn't know what he was doing enough to make a concerted effort to do it right the next time. Said it was only a matter of time before something like this happened again. Decided it wasn't safe for him to be around people, most of all his friends.

And yet, here Carlisle is, sitting in the hospital room of one of said friends. Ben wasn't entirely wrong in his assessment, nor was he entirely correct, but... his words cut deeply, deeper than Carlisle realized several days later. He rubs at the back of his neck, the fabric of his coat quiet as it rubs against itself at the joints.]

It matters not, truthfully. Perhaps it is as you said, and everything will be fine one day.

[Or he'll just avoid Ben forever. That might be more reasonable.]

[Kieran shakes his head.]

It ain't... I mean... I know what I said, but, it ain't gonna do any real good if you leave it alone.

[He plays with this thumbs for a few moments before continuing.]

Yer both stubborn fellers, but that doesn't mean ya can't see eye to eye about it.

...

Though, I ain't one to talk about seein' anythin', but that's fer a completely different reason.

[SEE CARLISLE HE MADE A JOKE DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP.]

[Macabre as that joke might have been, it gets an audible chuckle out of Carlisle. Congrats, Kieran, you did something few can claim: made Carlisle Longinmouth genuinely laugh.]

You ought not make jokes about your condition. You never know when it will be the death of you.

[Says the guy who has been dead at least once. His tone is light, the humor appreciated as it lightens the tension.]

[Huzzah!]

[Kieran smiles easily now that he knows the heavy atmosphere's been at least somewhat lifted.]

Eh, I ain't funny enough fer my jokes to kill someone. But I'll keep it in mind.

[His shoulders relax. He's faced his own death enough that he can joke around about the topic, too. Gallows humor for everyone.]

S-So you'll try talkin' to him again? It doesn't hafta be now, but soon?

[Carlisle gets that distinct feeling that even before this incident, Kieran was no stranger to death. It's unfortunate when it's a state of normalcy; though Carlisle saw plenty of it in life, he's still getting used to actually being dead himself.

He lets out a quiet sigh.]

I will consider it, as you are so insistent.

[But only because he'd literally do anything for you at this point, Kieran. Duty-bound and all.]

[Kieran's smile widens at Carlisle's agreement.]

Great! Thank you so much!

[He has no idea that it has to do with duty or debts. As far as Kieran's concerned, Carlisle is a friend simply doing what friends do.]

[He reaches out with a hand, approximating where he thinks Carlisle's shoulder may be. It takes a try or two, but he eventually manages to grip it with a friendly shake.]

I-If ya need any help, lemme know. I'll back you up. Promise!

[Carlisle stiffens beneath Kieran's grasp, frankly surprised the man would risk touching him until he remembers that Kieran was already blinded by the time he started rotting the ground all around them. Thankfully, he's neither overflowing with necrotic energies, nor draining the life out of everything within reach to stabilize himself, and so Kieran's flesh remains intact.]

Again, you are thanking me for something for which I ought not be thanked... but I admittedly appreciate your support. I'm not sure just how you would go about 'backing me up,' however.

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