〖Propнeѕιzed. 〗

alm has your back.

          traitorous lips form into a slight smile at alm’s suggestion. they shouldn’t act like they were strangers ?? but of course not. with how often they worked together—berkut as a teacher of sorts, and alm as a student—it should’ve been a given that they were closer than most. it was that very closeness that berkut feared. for what would he do if anything befell alm as had been the case with rinea ?? what would he do if it was once again his own fault ??

          even as worries ran rampant within his mind, he does not allow that to show on his face. he couldn’t as it would only bring alm worry. …the very fact that he even considered the other’s feelings in that way nearly prompted him pause. it had not been a matter of pride this time.

          it had been something more than that.

          ❛ I suppose there is no problem with it, ❜ he admits. ❛ though my father would’ve thought otherwise. ❜ any bit of affection or emotion shown before archduke kronus kaiser would elicit a slap or a shout—he was to be as put together as him and charm those of the court. any in front of his mother wouldn’t nearly gain him something as horrible. rather, she’d demand that he toughen up—to be just like her and hold a room with her dynamic presence.

          ❛ forgive me if I’m unused to it. to be frank…skin to skin contact unsettles me. ❜

There were no regrets in saying this. Not only would trust be placed conveniently upon Berkut’s lap, but he had no hesitance in showing kindness. Not only did he forgive the man, decide that it was best for him to be alive to make his mistake up to Rinea, but he truly needed him - he felt that his cousin needed a certain bond as well, as everything else in his life had fallen apart. Though he may be here, there was nothing left. They only had eachother. That was all the family left. It was a terrible feeling to feel alone.

For a moment, Alm feels his chest tighten. It becomes more difficult to breath, as if a weight was suddenly placed to it, and yet with a slow, deep breath, he manages to ease himself again. The wounds were still to fresh. He remembered how much he wanted to talk to Berkut, for both the two of them and his father. It hurt to see what he became, and even worse to have to strike him down.

“Your father isn’t here now, is he?” An idea struck, and as soon as it had, there was no way that it would be left unspoken of - “So the way I see it, it doesn’t matter what he would have thought. It’s up to you and me to make the decisions now.” He knew that it might hit a nerve or two if he were to phrase this the wrong way. No matter the relationship, sometimes there still laid the effects of one’s bond with their family to sway their feelings one way or another. Some things just had to be said, for the better.

“No, it’s okay, Berkut. I’m sorry if I was a little forward suddenly. It just seemed like the appropriate time, that’s all, really. You’re welcome to tell me if something is uncomfortable, like you did just now.”