[ There is a lot Ganymede still wishes to hide—but he can't refrain from being true to himself. Even when he places up walls of some sort—a defensiveness that obscures some of those efforts. But in his own heart, he can't deny the answer when he feels the compulsion to finally begin to show those sides he thought had eroded in his capture.
The truth paints a different picture. Those pieces of him that once shattered like glass have steadily been finding their way together again.
It's strange, he thinks. How he can feel it within himself to smile, after someone has witnessed one of his most painful memories that makes him feel small, weak, and insignificant. Maybe it's because he witnessed Michel's. Or maybe...it's because despite that, they're here together. That they're able to weather it slowly. Not completely. But bit by bit. And that makes a world of difference. ]
...Sometimes people think little of what children desire or say. But, in Greece, I know for a fact that my people consider being a soldier a great honor. My brother, Ilus, was one too.
[ Ganymede sounds a little wistful, sad notes echoing in his tone, but even so, even if Michel's hand falters, with the one he's still holding the other's, he holds on firmly. Even when he feels weak, newly reopened wounds slow to close even now. Still, he gives the hand within his a squeeze. ]
I don't know if I could say anything congratulatory, but I'm glad you told me. Not even because you wanted to be exactly that. But because you unrepentantly wanted something and told me that you did. Even if that's changed now, I think saying that...takes strength.
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The truth paints a different picture. Those pieces of him that once shattered like glass have steadily been finding their way together again.
It's strange, he thinks. How he can feel it within himself to smile, after someone has witnessed one of his most painful memories that makes him feel small, weak, and insignificant. Maybe it's because he witnessed Michel's. Or maybe...it's because despite that, they're here together. That they're able to weather it slowly. Not completely. But bit by bit. And that makes a world of difference. ]
...Sometimes people think little of what children desire or say. But, in Greece, I know for a fact that my people consider being a soldier a great honor. My brother, Ilus, was one too.
[ Ganymede sounds a little wistful, sad notes echoing in his tone, but even so, even if Michel's hand falters, with the one he's still holding the other's, he holds on firmly. Even when he feels weak, newly reopened wounds slow to close even now. Still, he gives the hand within his a squeeze. ]
I don't know if I could say anything congratulatory, but I'm glad you told me. Not even because you wanted to be exactly that. But because you unrepentantly wanted something and told me that you did. Even if that's changed now, I think saying that...takes strength.