[ If Peter is lying about walking stuff like this off all the time, he shouldn't, and it's a bad sign that he dismisses someone hurting him this easily. And if he is telling the truth, that is also super duper a bad sign. Really there's no scenario in which Peter's okayness with this isn't alarming to Ben.
But Peter's continued insistence that he'd chosen to be there, that he isn't too badly hurt or scared, wears down the sharpest edges of Ben's panic and guilt. He loosens his grip on his hair, eventually sits up, hands falling to his lap as he rests his head back against the wall. His breathing is still shaky and quick, but he doesn't sound as much like he's about to burst into tears, so that's something. ]
You should probably still stop by the Medbay.
[ Fussing over people not taking care of themselves is just what Ben does. It's ingrained into him, at this point.
Then Peter starts to ask questions about his powers, the way Ben knew he would, and he doesn't blame him, but that doesn't make it any easier. Shutting his eyes, he gives a shrug and a vague little gesture with his hands that suggests the answer is between yes and no. ]
Sort of. As much as I can. Mostly it's - pointing them in the right direction. Trying to limit the - trying to make sure only the right people get...
[ Another shaky sigh and Ben runs his hands over his face, as if he could scrub all this away. As expected, the disgust is coming, now. It must be exponentially worse for Peter. How can he even look at him right now? Swallowing, Ben says: ]
no subject
But Peter's continued insistence that he'd chosen to be there, that he isn't too badly hurt or scared, wears down the sharpest edges of Ben's panic and guilt. He loosens his grip on his hair, eventually sits up, hands falling to his lap as he rests his head back against the wall. His breathing is still shaky and quick, but he doesn't sound as much like he's about to burst into tears, so that's something. ]
You should probably still stop by the Medbay.
[ Fussing over people not taking care of themselves is just what Ben does. It's ingrained into him, at this point.
Then Peter starts to ask questions about his powers, the way Ben knew he would, and he doesn't blame him, but that doesn't make it any easier. Shutting his eyes, he gives a shrug and a vague little gesture with his hands that suggests the answer is between yes and no. ]
Sort of. As much as I can. Mostly it's - pointing them in the right direction. Trying to limit the - trying to make sure only the right people get...
[ Another shaky sigh and Ben runs his hands over his face, as if he could scrub all this away. As expected, the disgust is coming, now. It must be exponentially worse for Peter. How can he even look at him right now? Swallowing, Ben says: ]
I'm sorry you- had to see. That. Them.