if it falls, i would hold on.

𝙰𝙵𝙵𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂: @aygnt 𝙼𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂: @redfieled

THE STARS OFFICE HAS BEEN ABANDONED FOR THE DAY, SAVE FOR THE LAST TWO REMAINING MEN. chris perched on a chair within albert's office, foot tapping idly to an unknown tune, the man on the other side of the desk having requested a conversation before he peels out for the evening. their day had been eventful, a search and rescue for a missing woman on the outskirts of the arklay mountains, begging for their attention. they had found the woman, though the state of her, left behind a nagging feeling of curiosity in its wake. however with the assurance of their captain, he let the feeling fizzle out onto the back burner. a mystery for another day, the civilian is alive and that's all that matters.

' you did good today. really good. '

THE ANSWERING SMILE HE SENDS IN HER DIRECTION, SUGGESTS AN ARSENAL OF REPLIES AT THE READY. brown eyes softening as a mind recalls a childhood filled with bad ideas, and suggestions that linger upon initials questions being asked, just alike this very one. the redfield siblings, ever the troublemakers. " remember that time we got lost after i picked you up from school, because you convinced me you knew about this magical shortcut to get back home? " perhaps that was his fault, he shouldn't have leaned into the idea with enthusiasm, but claire had been convincing.

though now, just like decades ago, she's asking him to trust her judgement, her sense of direction, and god help him, chris would follow claire to hell and back.

ANGER.　jaw  clenching.　hands  balling  into  fists.　teeth  grinding.　yelling.　going  nonverbal.　stuttering  speech.　rushed  speech.　slow,  concise  speech.　rambling.　quiet.　arms  crossing.　shaking  head.　tearing  up.　animated.　expressionless.　projects.　internalizes.　vents.　withdraws.　passive  aggressive.　direct.　physical  outbursts  (destroys  items/throws  things/punches  walls).　verbal  outbursts.

JOY.　easy  smiles.　fighting  back  grins.　suppressed  laughter.　loud  laughter.　giggles.　chuckling.　smirks.　whole  body  laughs.　covers  mouth  when  laughing  /  giggling.　throws  head  back  when  laughing.　slaps  leg.　touches  people  around  them  when  laughing.　looks  down  when  laughing.　looks  for  eye  contact  when  laughing.　sparkling  eyes.　bubbly  happiness.　quiet,  subtle  happiness.　obnoxious  happiness.　wants  to  spread  joy.　quietly  savors  joy.

SADNESS.　crying.　bottling  it  up.　seeks  distractions.　wallows.  eyes  appear  red.　meditates  &  processes.　avoidance.　seeks  out  comfort.　withdraws.　talks  it  out.　internalizes  it.　sad  smiles.　depression  naps.　uses  alcohol.　uses  drugs.　seeks  out  sources  of  joy.　fidgets  with  sentimental  item.　sits  in  silence.　broods.　gets  moody.　wants  someone  to  share  the  misery.　tries  to  hide  negative  emotions.　nurtures  others  to  make  themselves  feel  better.

EMBARRASSMENT  /  SHAME.　blushing.　looking  away.　rubbing  at  back  of  head.　covering  face.　laughing  nervously.　laughs  it  off.　overthinks.　lets  it  go.　self  -  depreciating  humor.　deflects.　gets  irritated.　smiles.　withdraws.　crossing  arms  over  stomach.　crossing  arms  over  chest.　hands  in  pockets.　shoulders  sinking.　shrugs.　falling  into  silence  until  comfortable  again.　talking  a  lot  to  compensate.

GUILT.　avoiding  eye  contact.　shoulders  sinking  low.　head  hanging  down.　crying.　chest  aches.　lashes  out.　internalizes.　apologizes.　deflects.　communicates.　withdraws.　grand  gestures  for  forgiveness.  accepts  fault  easily.　punishes  themselves.　martyrdom.　victim  complex.　over  -  active  guilt  complex.　healthy  conscience.　internalizes  even  after  forgiveness.　seeking  redemption.　moves  on  easily.　denial.　lack  of  guilt  /  conscience.　sorry  they  got  caught  more  than  caused  harm.　can’t  handle  knowing  they  hurt  others.

FEAR  /  ANXIETY.　trembling.　crying.　uses  sarcasm  /  sass  to  cope.　rambles.　goes  silent.　gets  angry.　fidgeting.　clenching  jaw.　picking  at  nails.　chewing  at  lip.　pulling  at  clothes.　adjusting  jewelry  /  clothing.　swallowing  thickly.　eyes  widening.　over  -  reacts.　under  -  reacts.　calm.　logical.　panic.　irrational.　overthinks.  carefully  analyzes.　talks  to  themselves.　breathing  exercises.　fight.　flight.　withdraws.　fawns.

DROP IT. a request chris has never been able to fulfill. deeply stubborn, his shoulders square, not like a partner gearing up for what's shaping up to be a frustrating conversation with their better half, but instead like a man preparing for war. " your safety and your wellbeing will always be relevant, leon, " there's an attempt to keep exasperation from oozing into his tone, though he isn't sure how successful it was. he's very aware that @aygnt is used to doing things his own way, and as a result there will be moments where chris feels like he's pulling teeth to understand what's transpiring in that brain of his- like a man looking in through the foggy window of a home he wishes to be invited into so badly. a desire to understand, to love, to protect and cherish until the end of their days.