hopefully you’ll understand why i did what i did . / @empyrens
understanding the choices of a woman who saw another side of the world wasn't a challenge, but it did force lois to confront an uncomfortable truth — her own powerlessness. diana was a warrior, a princess, a peacemaker who could ride with gods, and travel to spaces that would collapse fragile human lungs. it meant that she ( despite being a crack shot, with a platform of truth, and enough self defense skills to be a formidable adversary for a mugger on a late night ) couldn't spare her this kind of hurt.
self inflicted, as far as lois had seen, like half the world, on television. it was the first time she'd seen her kill, and knew without knowing, that it was the only option — that god formed beings always returned, while other life offered no second chances. none for little martin, who had been turned to stone, and spurred all of this on. her hand raised, fingertips hovering before they settled, offering the amazon a chance to sense her there. those digits settle with a gentle stroke, one that turns to cradling a cheek as her expression turned conflicted. the bandage around diana's eyes concealed the venom injury, and she made no attempt to shift it, though it was easy to wonder if anything her hands could manage would offer her some relief.
"i wish you hadn't needed to. but i know why you did." selfless, loving, true to her mission: of what she knew of it. ( what she couldn't know was extent of it all, the conversations with patrons, that those of athena's grace would die a thousand times to save but one mortal life. ) her paper and other work was strewn across the table next to them, abandoned as soon as lois heard her on the always running news. her chest ached then, in fear, and now, in concern. "can i do anything for you? would anything help?"
