[ Ben gives a little shake of his head, as if he could argue, make Kieran not dismiss his intrusion so lightly. He should have listened to his gut. He had already seen by interacting with Kieran the sort of man that he is. There were other ways, kinder ways, he could have asked about what led him to that path in life. He will just... have to try to do better, in the future.
And in spite of Kieran's insistence that it's all in the past, Ben knows from personal experience how past hurts can linger. Even if Kieran is telling himself it's all over and that means it is done... Ben has seen his siblings each in their own way destroyed, by their pasts, the ones they were fighting so desperately to pretend didn't matter. And, he supposes, he should put himself on that list, too.
The hand on his arm helps a little, and Ben blinks away the rest of his tears. There is just one thing, and he has to say it, and he is going to, and he hopes that Kieran can hear him. Ben looks at him, all dark eyes and an expression soft with sadness but full of conviction: ]
It matters that it happened to you. It does. You deserved better than that. I hope - somebody's told you that before, and if they haven't.... you didn't deserve to be- to be- to be treated like that.
[ A little of the softness leaves his voice, as he goes on, insistent: ]
And listen, if anybody ever treats you like that again - I mean, picks on you, or scares you, or hurts you, even if it's just a little bit - I want you to tell me, Kieran, okay? Even if it's embarrassing to talk about it. Because I... I would really like to be your friend. And I know I might not seem like the most intimidating person out there, but.
[ A brief, but heavy pause, before he finishes, delicately, but with absolute certainty: ]
But I can be, when I need to be. And I do care. So if anyone tries to push you around, please come to me. And I will take care of it.
[ Does Ben mean he is going to MURDER them? Does he mean he's just going to LECTURE them? It's hard to say, really. His intense expression is replaced by a small smile as he adds, much more lightly: ]
And you're not a dumbass. You're a really fast learner, I can tell that already.
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And in spite of Kieran's insistence that it's all in the past, Ben knows from personal experience how past hurts can linger. Even if Kieran is telling himself it's all over and that means it is done... Ben has seen his siblings each in their own way destroyed, by their pasts, the ones they were fighting so desperately to pretend didn't matter. And, he supposes, he should put himself on that list, too.
The hand on his arm helps a little, and Ben blinks away the rest of his tears. There is just one thing, and he has to say it, and he is going to, and he hopes that Kieran can hear him. Ben looks at him, all dark eyes and an expression soft with sadness but full of conviction: ]
It matters that it happened to you. It does. You deserved better than that. I hope - somebody's told you that before, and if they haven't.... you didn't deserve to be- to be- to be treated like that.
[ A little of the softness leaves his voice, as he goes on, insistent: ]
And listen, if anybody ever treats you like that again - I mean, picks on you, or scares you, or hurts you, even if it's just a little bit - I want you to tell me, Kieran, okay? Even if it's embarrassing to talk about it. Because I... I would really like to be your friend. And I know I might not seem like the most intimidating person out there, but.
[ A brief, but heavy pause, before he finishes, delicately, but with absolute certainty: ]
But I can be, when I need to be. And I do care. So if anyone tries to push you around, please come to me. And I will take care of it.
[ Does Ben mean he is going to MURDER them? Does he mean he's just going to LECTURE them? It's hard to say, really. His intense expression is replaced by a small smile as he adds, much more lightly: ]
And you're not a dumbass. You're a really fast learner, I can tell that already.