#traumalaugh

“ You look a wreck. Probably wondering wether or not it was a blessing or a curse now that you’ve survived... The people that did this, they are long gone, yes? ”

And you had a dumb idea to use a uniform...

“Do you even like this kind of life? Or are you just existing?”

@traumalaugh

Hal closed his eyes, leaning into the weight. “I know it’s going to be hard. But you’re safe here. I promise.” He assures her in a soft tone, determined to help her find some form of peace. He’d sit with her as long as she wanted him around.

Hal had forgotten how noisy the carrier was. He rarely left it so the constant drone of the engines and the click and hum of his computer were subconsciously filtered out for him. Octopus didn’t have the same luxury and once he realized, he’d brought her to the quietest part of the craft and sat with her for a while. He’d gotten to talking, mostly about how working with Snake and Raiden had given him a second chance. Perhaps he just wasn’t all that captivating or maybe exhaustion had gotten the better of her but before Hal knew it, she was leaning against him dozing lightly. He didn’t have the heart to risk waking her and instead simply held still and let his eyes close. He could use a nap, too. 

“You’re not a monster.” Hal implored gently, searching for her face to look her in the eye as he said it. “You’re someone who’s been hurt and told a lot of lies. That doesn’t make you a monster.” Hal had done his best to help her adjust but he had no expectation that she’d have an easy time of it. “No one expects you to feel better right away. But you’ve got a support system, now. You’ve got a chance.”

Hal knew that just leaving her there wasn’t an option, she’d be killed. Or taken back and re-brainwashed. Neither were options he’d been willing to leave someone to. So here she was. Aboard the nomad. He glanced back at her on the cot beside his desk between analyzing the incoming data collected by the Mark II. Realizing how chilly it had managed to get since they’d taken off, Hal had draped a blanket over her at some point. She looked a little more peaceful now, enough that he was beginning to relax and fall back into his habit of zoning out.