Ben? [He calls his brother's name when he can feel the internalized panic, see the quick shakiness to his breaths as he stands there, their father looming like a dark cloud over them the same way he had always done in their lives.
When Diego speaks again, his words mingle with Reginald's, trying to speak over him, to make Ben pay attention to him instead.]
He's wrong, Ben. You are not an abomination, you're my brother. I don't care what he says, you are more than the darkness he saw in you. You're--
[But Ben's turning away, trudging off with Dad the same way he always did back when they were kids. Ever the obedient little solider, seeking father's approval. Weren't they all? Some of them just ended up more rebellious about it later.
Diego practically lunges toward Ben, tries to catch his fingers around his brother's wrist and pull him back--] Ben, no! You don't have to go with him, he can't do anything to you or Vanya or any of us any more. He's dead, remember?
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When Diego speaks again, his words mingle with Reginald's, trying to speak over him, to make Ben pay attention to him instead.]
He's wrong, Ben. You are not an abomination, you're my brother. I don't care what he says, you are more than the darkness he saw in you. You're--
[But Ben's turning away, trudging off with Dad the same way he always did back when they were kids. Ever the obedient little solider, seeking father's approval. Weren't they all? Some of them just ended up more rebellious about it later.
Diego practically lunges toward Ben, tries to catch his fingers around his brother's wrist and pull him back--] Ben, no! You don't have to go with him, he can't do anything to you or Vanya or any of us any more. He's dead, remember?