he's aware that steven's not his responsibility. he knows steven can take care of himself, but still. adrien takes the safety of everyone in his general vicinity as his responsibility anyway — that's how it was back home, that's how it was here. doubly so with people he knew.
it's hesitant, but he does make eye contact. the smile is something, but it's still not enough to settle the gripping feeling in his chest.
in the end, however, this isn't about him. this is about steven, and he's sure no amount of convincing would get him to shrug off the fact that the man he trusted died in front of him because he was far too slow. ]
... Are you sure? [ so he asks that instead. to say steven was fine right after that seemed too simple, too... ] I... don't want you to say the things you think I want to hear. I want you to be honest—I can handle it.
[ that's always what he wants.
the irony of that statement isn't lost on him, either. ]
no subject
he's aware that steven's not his responsibility. he knows steven can take care of himself, but still. adrien takes the safety of everyone in his general vicinity as his responsibility anyway — that's how it was back home, that's how it was here. doubly so with people he knew.
it's hesitant, but he does make eye contact. the smile is something, but it's still not enough to settle the gripping feeling in his chest.
in the end, however, this isn't about him. this is about steven, and he's sure no amount of convincing would get him to shrug off the fact that the man he trusted died in front of him because he was far too slow. ]
... Are you sure? [ so he asks that instead. to say steven was fine right after that seemed too simple, too... ] I... don't want you to say the things you think I want to hear. I want you to be honest—I can handle it.
[ that's always what he wants.
the irony of that statement isn't lost on him, either. ]