deercountry | (closed) march catchall

[ He gets a response, and it's a reason to open Robby's eyes properly, more. A blinking that finally peels them open, and the blur of Mister LaRusso comes together the more he screws his eyes to get rid of it, until he can see the features of him that make his heart skip harder for a different reason--for relief. A pang of grief, too, with the memories of what happened not knocked out of his brain.

Robby lays there a moment, despite the question; letting himself take in the sight of the man despite the tiredness in his eyes, the dizziness and heat he still feels lingering about him. But there's a better focus, and Mister LaRusso seems to actually be looking at him this time than in his general vicinity.

(Or maybe it's the light in the room that makes it easier to tell these things.) ]

I'm okay, [ he finally answers, just to give him one. Because Robby doesn't particular care about himself when he can remember a conversation with Mister LaRusso's omen, as weak as the details are--he remembers Mister LaRusso's state. It's as good of a reason as any to start slowing lifting himself to sit up, using his hands to push him up. ] Lemme get something for the pain...

[ Mister LaRusso's pain. He was in pain--he needs to find that bag with the potions. ]

Don't.

[ The word is not said as clearly, a little bit more mumbled, but the physical gesture that goes right along with it probably says more than any words could here in the first place. Because Daniel does his best to reach out with his arm to stop Robby from getting up too far, trying to gently push him back down into the bed.

(There's not much force in it, considering Daniel can't even lift his torso from the bed, and using his arm too much puts a strain on his back, which already feels like it's murdering him right now.

But he doesn't want Robby to have to get up yet for his sake when the other seemed so weak and ill earlier.) ]

My Omen's getting stuff. [ A little less mumbled now, but even though Daniel sounds a little more clear and awake, the man's tone is weaker than it'd usually be. ] It'll be okay.

[ Not that he knows that for sure. Daniel doesn't know how bad his injury is other than really bad. Will it heal? Do they even do surgeries for this here in Trench? Will he just be stuck with this pain that keeps him unmoving for the rest of his life?

It's a terrifying thought, but Daniel tries to not let it show. He tries to pull his thoughts towards Robby instead, where they feel safer. ]

So.. stay here, alright?

[ Robby stops, of course. Mister LaRusso speaks, he touches him, both easy to brush off in theory, but not in reality. He's always been a little too pliable to Mister LaRusso at his best of times, and how could he be otherwise at the man's worst? But Robby is hesitant, paused in his position instead of slumping back down to rest.

Because he's listening to Mister LaRusso say it's fine, but he says a lot is fine or alright about his health. It's the kind of man he is. But he remembers too, something; maybe it's his mind making up memories, but something his sensei's omen said about being there. It being the best help? Was it?

His eyes gaze over the man, teeth chewing on his inner lip. ]

Are you sure? I have stuff... [ But maybe it's not what he has he needs to convince Mister LaRusso of, and instead: ] I'm not hurt--just woozy. I didn't get hurt.

[ His voice is soft, words softer. Hesitating again. ]

You protected me.

[ And he wishes he hadn't, despite the trace of appreciation that isn't entirely false. ]

[ Even like this, Daniel can understand it if Robby may have complicated feelings about that last part. It's not like he didn't talk extensively to Daniel about Johnny's deaths and the way he felt about those. And-- sure, Daniel didn't die, but it feels more like dumb luck than anything else at this point that he didn't. Judging by the way his body feels now, he must have gotten so close.

.. but there had been no other option, right? Daniel refuses the idea of just having stayed back, of having let Robby take that hit. Especially when the idea that Robby is more or less alright because Daniel protected him makes it feel like there's something blooming in his chest. Relief, mostly, but also fondness, and the faint idea that he did something good here, even if its aftereffects may not be ideal. ]

I'm sure. [ He shakes his head just a bit - as much as one can while still lying down, anyway. ] You didn't sound good earlier.

[ Even if Daniel still isn't sure of the reason. A fever sounds most reasonable, but-- how would Robby have gotten one? It's not like Daniel remembers anything between being knocked out by that debris and then waking up here in bed with Robby at his bedside. ]

Did nothing else happen to you after..

[ His voice trails off, like he's too worried about voicing what happened to him out loud when Robby already seems to be hesitating, when Robby is already looking concerned. ]

[ He takes a breath held behind his mouth, and he leans back down with Mister LaRusso's certainty. Not that he exactly believes in it, either; Robby's mind is already slipping into thoughts about his omen, and was he with him or outside? --but they're scattered by the remark of his own health. He can't focus on so much at once, and he's trying to not slump too much when he puts his head back down on the side of the pillow he has.

It can still be called slumping, his eyes dizzying behind his eyelids, but Robby will survive. ]

Sunny had a plan to get to Mob, so I helped take him over. I was using the tattoo; I'm not s'pposed to use it too long...

[ And between getting smacked by a Mister LaRusso getting smacked by concrete and all the rest, it wasn't a good day out there for Robby to test its limits. His eyes are still close as he recalls it all, but they start to open after, a small attempt to look at Mister LaRusso's face, but then letting them rest elsewhere on his body. ]

...Mob was stuck inside his own body. He couldn't do anything... [ ... ] He couldn't stop himself.

[ Mister LaRusso never got to find out what happened, how it ended, and that--that encapsulates it, doesn't it? That everything Mob did wasn't under his control, how trapped he was by himself. It's what sticks with Robby now as much as the near-call with Mister LaRusso's life; the two of them at different stages on the floor, but even when Mob stood up again, he--

What if they hadn't stopped him? ]

[ Even as his heart threatens to be taken over with worry coming in like a tidal wave, Daniel does his best to stay calm. He breathes slowly, and he tries to think about the good in this situation (Robby is alright and resting right next to him, apparently Mob is alright and back to his usual self, Daniel made it out alive) to balance out the bad (his own throbbing pain, but even more than that the thought of all these kids hurt).

Because it's clear that Robby sounds worried here, so Daniel has to try and be the calm in the middle of the storm. He has to be alright, so he can help this boy. Maybe even the other kids, if there's anything at all he can do for them.

Even so, it's hard to determine what specifically Robby is worried about here that he's emphasizing the part he chooses to talk about. Is he worried about Daniel getting the wrong idea, of him blaming Mob for all of this? Or.. ]

But you guys got him back to normal. [ He slowly says as he exhales a breath, watching Robby the entire time, even as the other's eyes close and open and gaze shifts.

It's not like the other is wrong to be worried. This sort of situation may have been extreme, but.. there's no telling whether it could just happen again, right? Daniel doesn't even know what triggered it, how things ended up becoming this way.

But they're worries for later. For when he's more clear-minded. Right now all of his focus is instead aimed at Robby, wanting to make the kid feel a little better. ]

I'm so proud of you.

[ Even Robby can't pinpoint what he wants to emphasise, if there's anything he does. Other than his thoughts on the younger boy, how trapped he was. All of those months of fear, of worrying; about if Mob turned into a beast and couldn't be stopped. How damaging his powers could be.

He isn't unaffected by the pride, but it only makes Robby think of Mob more. Thoughts that burn, a fog in the brain he can't get through. ]

He's gonna be scared, [ is what he finally says; unsure, guilty if this is really the right time, but the emotion wells in his chest the more he thinks about the younger boy. ] He worried about doing this-- he's gonna blame himself, LaRusso.

[ Sorry to drop the Mister there, but at least he doesn't sound like his dad when he says it, at least. ]

[ A slightly different angle than Daniel was thinking of, then. Not that this one is really surprising either. Daniel figures that one way or another, this would just come down to Robby worrying about Mob in some way. And who could blame him when Daniel is doing the same thing, except he's trying to stay a bit calmer about it when he knows he can't even move his body enough to get to Mob in the first place.

(If he'll be able to ever move his body again at all, that is, and-- god, no, still not the time to think about that. Thanks, thought, time to get pushed down with everything else Daniel is repressing here in favour of thinking about the kids.) ]

Then we will tell him it's alright.

[ It's not a full solution to that problem either, but Daniel presents it so calmly, like he's trying to make it sound like it is. Or that it's at least enough of a solution that Robby shouldn't have to worry this much.

Not right now, anyway. Not while Daniel is wondering whether maybe Robby isn't really recovered yet after all, still a little more open and rambly than he'd usually be.

It makes Daniel tug him just a touch closer against him. It feels like the only movement he can get going right now from his body. ]

I don't blame him. You don't either, right?

[ Of course he knows the answer to that.

But he hopes that he's able to calm Robby down a little by talking about the few positive sides to all of this. If they don't blame Mob, then who even would? ]

[ They'll tell him it's alright. Robby wants to tell him now, though the thought of what he'd say beyond a rambling mess isn't what his brain is currently up to organising. He doesn't want to move too much himself either (even if for Mister LaRusso, there isn't much of a choice), but he can't stop the way that his brain thinks of the boy, wishes he could know how he's doing after everything.

Mob's worst fear come true. (Miguel falling over the railing.) Robby knows what that feeling's like.

He shakes his head to Mister LaRusso's question, if not immediately. Following with a quiet ] No.

[ It's not satisfying alone, but the urge and want coursing through is insatiable. Fortunately for Robby's restless thoughts, there's a sound of the door opening behind them, and it isn't Daniel's omen who can be seen as a fluffy creature poking its head over the bed...

...it's Robby's omen, looking as awkward as ever, considering that it seems to be looking...around. There's a bottle in its mouth, and its eyes may catch Mister LaRusso's if he looks at him. He's right in his line of sight, see, and he's trying to find the best place to deposit this tonic.

Maybe if he gets his front paws up on the bed? If only Robby would hurry and turn around to see him. :( ]

[ Even if Robby's answer is so tiny, so little to go on, Daniel still wants to continue speaking. No matter how much pain he is in right now, his own thoughts keep drifting off towards Robby as much as Robby's own thoughts seem to be moving towards Mob right now. He wants to reassure Robby further, because Daniel does believe it'll be alright. No matter what happens to him and his body, Robby is going to be okay, and they will reassure Mob. As long as Daniel doesn't think about himself, keeps his worries away from there, it's easy to believe the rest of this will end up fine.

It's a sensation he'd like to spread to Robby, but before he can even open up his mouth to say anything, he does spot the creature coming into the room and trying its best.. Daniel does realise what the dog-like creature is trying to do, but it's too much to ask from Daniel to try and move his body to reach out towards the dog and that bottle right now. He just.. simply can't move at all. Not that far, anyway. It's impossible.

Daniel exhales, tries to keep breathing through the pain, and instead shifts his gaze over towards the boy. ]

Robby, your Omen's here.

[ Hopefully that'll be enough for the other to turn and look. Daniel even moves his arm a little bit so Robby can move more easily without Daniel pressing down on him, even if he can't move it too much in his current state. But he's trying to be as cooperative as he can be here, even if he very much feels like a sack of potatoes right now. ]

[ Robby was aware of the omen's presence, a but he's slow to turn--he turns to do so onto his other shoulder, rolling in the effort. But Robby can do that much (more than Mister LaRusso would be able to), if with a held breath and then heavy exhale, a second for his vision to come back into focus from the slight haze.

The good boy waits, and Robby reaches out to take the bottle from its mouth. A small ] thanks [ as he holds it to him, an even smaller smile at the creature.

The omen watches the pair as Robby turns back around. He would get up, just enough to handle the bottle better, but he remembers Mister LaRusso's reluctant and keeps himself low, his elbow in the space between them. Hands on the cork and on the bottle itself, looking at the man. ]

It's not quick relief, but maybe this'll help? It's a potion--just like in a fantasy book.

[ He huffs a humoured sound, a smile that's joking, but smaller than it should be as he looks at Mister LaRusso. Hoping it might help--hoping that the man will take it without Robby needing to ask verbally (when he already is). ]

.. sure.

[ Is the idea a little ridiculous? Maybe. But it's not like they don't encounter ridiculous things all the time in this place, even when it comes to healing. Daniel still remembers the time he felt so sick after that party, and Hakkai put his hands on him and just.. took that partially away from him, somehow. Like magic.

A potion doesn't even seem that strange in comparison, right. Maybe he can just think about it like some alternative medicine. And the combination of both Daniel trusting anything coming from Robby and the fact that he's very desperate for any relief at all, whether quick or not, makes it an easy choice to actually slowly move his arm so he can take the bottle from the boy.

Even if moving his arms and head enough to actually be able to drink from the bottle is a little bit of a struggle. It's kind of embarrassing, especially right in front of Robby, but.. well, what choice does he have? It's not like he's going to not take it.

With some effort he does manage to drink most of it, pulling it away from his mouth again when there's still a bit left at the bottom, holding it out to Robby. ]

You-- [ A breath. ] You should have some too.

[ Robby's hands are ready, in case Mister LaRusso might drop it, ready to take over or react. But he seems to manage to get it down despite the shaking involved, and Robby watches him, nibbling on his bottom lip as he does.

He should've seen the bottle being held out before it happens, honestly. A part of him surely did. ]

... [ And he's hesitant on what to say, looking at the bottle. He could take it and drink it just to make Mister LaRusso feel better, or pretend to--but Robby wants him to have all of it. But Mister LaRusso can be stubborn, he might plead...

Still. ] You got hurt a lot worse than me, you're the one in pain. [ He presses his hand against the bottle and Mister LaRusso's hand, nudging it back towards him. ] I'll be okay-- and I'll be better if you drank it all.

[ He looks at Mister LaRusso, eyes pleading, because he can do some pleading himself. Cut Mister LaRusso off from the draw, the worried pinch of his mouth and all. ]

I promise I'll be okay, [ he adds softly. ]

[ Even with that hand pressed against his own, the bottle isn't immediately pushed back to Daniel - like the man is resisting, if not just a little bit. It's not like he has the strength here to do anything more than just resisting a little bit, after all.

And it's not even like he doesn't see Robby's intention here. He gets why the boy would say this, and Daniel understands that he's probably just so worried about Daniel, given the man's current state..

But of course there's no way that worry doesn't flow both ways. Of course Daniel is, in turn, worried about Robby. ]

Robby..

[ It's why that name can't help but escape his lips, the look in his own eyes practically mirroring the one he sees in Robby's. Daniel isn't being as insistent because he's so weak to the boy's pleading, but the faint attempt still can't help but escape him all the same. ]

You can't only think of me. [ Especially since Robby was caught up in that entire situation too. If he had been outside of it and was fine now it'd be one thing, but.. ] I need to take care of you.

You already did.

[ It's a stressed plea, a pause as he has to press his lips together tight. Because Mister LaRusso doesn't know the after, of what it was like out on that street after they got struck. After he got hit, his body above Robby, the darkness, the weight, the racing heart. ]

I need you-- please, don't be stubborn about this. [ His voice hushes as his eyes look between the bottle and Mister LaRusso's face, but with the bottle easier to look at. ] I need you to get better. I need you to be okay.

Just let me take care of you. [ For once. ]

[ It's so tempting to insist here. Because Daniel-- he's the adult here. He has to be the one that knows better. Because he does believe he's right here. Even if he's clearly the more injured one, he knows that Robby didn't come out of it unscathed either, and just giving him the bottom of the potion should hopefully be enough to bring some relief to him as well. Objectively speaking, it's better to share it that way.

.. but objectiveness doesn't always win. Not when Robby is talking to him like this, or giving him that gaze. Not when Daniel's heart is so weak to this boy, not when he vowed to himself that he'd do anything to never have to make Robby look like that again.

So he relents, despite all instincts. After a little pause, Daniel silently puts the potion back to his own lips, draining the last of it, making sure that Robby sees. If he can't bring him the pain relief of the potion, then he can at least bring him some relief in the form of reassurance, he hopes.

He can put the cork back on the bottle, but reaching far enough to put the bottle away somewhere is a little bit too much movement for Daniel right now. So instead he does the other thing he can do here - which is reaching out to put an arm around Robby once more, pulling the boy closer again. It's a little like a hug, bodies pressed together like they had been while they were sleeping. ]

I'll be okay.

[ It's a bluff, since Daniel can't know for sure, but-- god, does he ever hope so. And not just for Robby's sake, but for his own as well. ]

I'll ask Chozen to get a doctor here. Then they can see what's wrong. [ Because there sure is something wrong. You don't take concrete to the back and end up totally fine. The way Daniel's body hurts so much, the relief of the potion not quite having kicked in yet - a fact that might be obvious from the way Daniel seems to tremble a little when he pulls Robby closer - tells him that something really is wrong with him still. ] I'm sure they will be able to fix it. So don't worry, Robby..

[ Robby would've taken the bottle if Mister LaRusso had given even a moment for him to offer, or to just do it. But that moment is used up by another action that Robby doesn't resist with the relief that would have been visible on his face with Mister LaRusso's concede. He even moves into the embrace willingly, shamelessly, pressing against his chest and holding onto the fabric of his shirt around his arm. Hears him speaking above him, and he knows, he knows; that Mister LaRusso is more than okay, more than what Robby thought he was.

You wouldn't get up-- you wouldn't move-- Mob was in a pool of his own blood, and he'd lost it--

There's so much he could say but that he doesn't, won't. But what good does any of that do, even if it whirls in his head? Hurts his heart. ]

I thought you died. [ But maybe he says something close to it anyway, despite sense. But the world is still a little warm, his eyes hurt with how they sting, and he can't help himself. He shakes his head, or tries to, instead rubbing his forehead against Mister LaRusso's chest. ] Mister LaRusso... you shouldnt've protected me.

[ It's not like he doesn't get it. Of course Robby would have been upset at that in general - I thought you died - but in the light of the boy only having learned about Johnny's deaths about a month ago, it must sting even more. All that reassuring Daniel did about how he'd help keep Johnny safe, and now here he is, almost having made Robby endure his death instead.

There's some guilt in the thought, yet Daniel knows he wouldn't have done a thing different if he were to be thrown right back into the situation. ]

.. I'm sorry. [ At least he does want to say that much, since he knows how hard this must be for the boy. It only becomes more obvious when he's holding Robby so close, when he can feel all of the other's tiny movements. ] I didn't want to put you through all of that. I had a plan when I stepped up, but.. clearly it didn't work out.

[ Because of course those weird powers have to leave you the one time it would really help to be able to use them, right. It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad.

His fingers move through Robby's hair a little. ]

I'm always going to protect you though. [ Daniel knows it's something that isn't necessarily a net positive to Robby, not after everything with Johnny, but-- saying anything else here would be a lie.

He doesn't want to lie to Robby.

So instead his voice dips into something that's more soft rather than just weak like before, something that's mostly fond with an edge of something apologetic. ]

I love you too much to let something happen to you.

[ Robby really can't blame Mister LaRusso for what he did. He can say he shouldn't have done it, and if his feelings err on any truly emotional side, it's more frustration at what happened than anything the man did. Frustration more like a panic than anger, and the thought of him now-- the thought of what could've happened. Even if he would've come back--

He should have needed to go in the first place. (He shouldn't be like this, either.)

Robby doesn't need explanations, or reasons. Mister LaRusso had a planned, it failed, and they both share that. But as he keeps going, Mister Larusso's words hit Robby in a way he doesn't quite know how to feel about. Not that it stops his body from deciding; a different kind of heat that warms him from the one that tickles his skin, the way his heart flips. I love you too much to let something happen to you.

...Is this what having someone choose to be your dad is like? Is this kind of affection the sort that he deserves? He'll hate this promise some time in the future, surely, in another circumstance. But right now Robby can get something selfish out of it, and yet he isn't sure how exactly to accept it, digest it. It leaves him quiet for a bit, before he tilts his head so his face isn't so buried against Mister LaRusso's chest (but also not pushing away that hand stroking at his hair...), just enough that he can still see the fabric of his shirt. ]

What if I don't want anything to happen to you?

[ A question spoken as softly back. ]

.. I know.

[ It's not like they have to speak so softly. They're alone in the room, but.. maybe it's something about the mood, or maybe the vulnerability of this specific topic. It keeps the volume of Daniel's own weak voice low too, knowing he doesn't need to speak any louder for Robby to hear him anyway.

But-- he knows. He does know exactly what it's like to feel that way. He still remembers being Robby's age, after all, and standing there in Okinawa, staring at mister Miyagi as the man announced he would accept Sato's challenge of a fight to the death after all. He remembers the reassurances, the promises, that he could have the house and the cars back in America. I don't want the house or the pickup back home, I want you! It's been decades, and Daniel can still feel the exact desperation and worry that haunted him in that moment all the same now, maybe only strengthened by the fact that mister Miyagi did have to leave him in the end.

But he didn't understand it back then, did he. That these things are just inevitabilities of life. But conveying the message that way-- it feels too sad, and Robby is already so hurt. ]

I'm not planning on letting anything happen to me. [ At least he can reassure the boy of that. It's not like Daniel is ever going to look for danger, after all. The Mob situation just.. brought the danger to them instead.

His hand still slowly moves through the boy's hair with soothing motions. ]

But sometimes.. things might end up like this anyway. [ With Daniel hurt, with Robby worried. Trench isn't a kind nor a safe place. ] It's always going to be alright in the end though, even if it might take a bit to get there.

[ A bold claim when Daniel knows nothing about the extent of his injury right now, other than the pain that will hopefully be soothed soon by the potion. ]

Because nothing can separate us.

[ Because he has to be there for Robby. Maybe the claim that Robby has no one isn't true anymore now, but.. Daniel still can't help but feel responsible.

And he, on a personal level too, wants to be there with Robby. ]

[ He hadn't needed any of that. The truth, the reality of the world--Robby knows. But with the fact that bad things will happen, so is the fact that Mister LaRusso will put himself in danger for him, even when he doesn't agree with it. But maybe that's the thing about that thinking: that Mister LaRusso isn't the only person with it. That he can't expect to put his life on the line recklessly and not expect anyone else to do the same.

That's just the stubborn way people can be, isn't it.

Robby's hand seek Mister LaRusso's own, the one trapped against his body and the bed. Fingers wrapping around his, his head tilting into Mister LaRusso's chest as he lets his thoughts slow to the gentle touch trailing through his hair. His thumb rubbing now and then against the back of Mister LaRusso's knuckles. ]

You know...you can't get mad if someone decides to rescue you once or twice, then. [ If they ever get a chance. Because it seems almost impossible, a stupid thing for Robby to say once the words are out, but he'll pretend for this moment that it'd ever happen. As if it doesn't seem like Mister LaRusso is saving him all the time.

His eyes flicker upward, to see if he can catch the man's eyes. ]

You don't get to be the only one sticking your neck out [ ... ] just 'cause you're a dad.

[ The moment Robby looks up at him, Daniel looks down at Robby, their gazes actually meeting - and Daniel not looking away the moment he realises the boy is looking at him.

Because all protests die on his tongue. He's well aware it'd be hypocritical, since Robby is right. If Daniel insists on keeping people safe, he shouldn't get mad when said people do the same right back for him. No matter how many - in his opinion - good reasons he has as to why he should be the protector. But hypocrisy has never stopped Daniel from saying anything.

But that last part? Robby continuing to speak, finally ending up with that last word.

And sure. It's just a dad. It could easily be interpreted as him being Sam's dad, or Anthony's dad, because it's just true. It could even just be his general dad-like behaviour and demeanour. Daniel is a dad.

It's not quite 'my' dad. And yet, when these words come from Robby's mouth, they feel close enough that they leave Daniel speechless entirely for a moment, like that single word hits him like a truck. It leaves him just staring at Robby for a moment or two before his eyes close for a moment, letting out a breath that's more comfortable than a sigh this time. ]

I am sticking my neck out because I'm your dad. [ He is using that word there, even if Robby avoided it - but that doesn't matter. It's still a little cautious each time, like he's threading on ground that feels a little bit unstable still, testing out how much he can say that around Robby.

It feels right though. Didn't he instinctively make the decision to protect Robby because it's what a father does for his kid? Because it's what he would've done for Samantha or Anthony? ]

.. but I guess.. you're right that I can't get mad.

[ Because he knows that if it'd happen, it would come right out of the goodness of Robby's heart. Even though he hates the idea of Robby getting hurt, of Robby being in the sort of pain Daniel is right in this moment. Even though he really doesn't want it to happen. ]

Still.. you know you're already helping me, right? Even right now.

[ He brought this on, did this intentionally: calling out Mister LaRusso as a dad, looking directly at him. Giving his words meaning despite the way he dances around speaking directly, because some things are too much, too uncertain, regardless of what he wants to give the other man. There's a mess there that he doesn't know how to untangle, but still: he wants to offer something, anything that Robby knows he'll like.

And even with all that (or because of a part of it), he can't hold the gaze as he hears the words 'your dad'; trying to hold on, to keep it there, but it and the rest of what's remarked makes Robby look away, squeezing the hand held unintentionally, an embarrassed twitch from an embarrassed reaction.

It's going to keep being A Lot for a while. His own muddled feelings, and then that part of him that worries that things might change, that he's some kind of comfortable replacement for a missing family; but then the way he likes the sound of it, of being fussed over.

...it's truly, truly embarrassing. Please don't pay attention to the way he fails to hide this reaction, his look away as telling as when he looks back with a silly smile. ]

If I said you help me nearly every day, would that stop you thinking you don't do enough for me?

[ ...then again, maybe it's easy to miss with this call out. ]

[ Sorry, Robby, but that reaction is way too obvious. It might be a good thing in this case - poor Robby's embarrassment aside at being so obvious - since it also means there's no way Daniel could misinterpret it. Usually he might have been a little prone to that, too worried about Robby's potential reaction, but..

.. well, there's truly no mistaking this reaction. Robby definitely liked that, even if it also made him flustered. Nothing about this screams rejection. Just teenage fuzzy warm embarrassment.

It's a relief, and it's half the reason why Daniel slowly exhales.

Though the other half of the reason is his answer. ]

I just have a lot to make up for.

[ He says the words a little softly, like he's trying to take any edge off them. Like he's trying to make them sound more innocent and warm than they actually are - in all actuality a sentiment that has penetrated Daniel's soul so deeply, moments he can only look back on with shame and disappointment in himself. ]

.. I think I'm slowly starting to catch up now though, huh?

[ It's almost a joke. It'd feel a little too cruel to fully joke about this, but it's still a little light. Daniel didn't really make this decision out of any sense of penance, after all. It was only about Robby's safety, and he wouldn't want the boy to mistake one thing for another here. ]

[ Oh.

Robby knows what Mister LaRusso can be like, but when it comes to that remark--that confession, even, it sits on Robby uncomfortably. Unexpected. I have a lot to make up for. It's a sentiment he's sure the man has given before, he thinks, and yet...Robby had figured it was over and done with. The actions he can wager a good guess on what he's referring to, and his own screw-ups along with them.

That's what it digs up, for Robby. His own mistakes that he thought were long buried, and he's quiet in the face of the joking, awkward to have unveiled. Biting on his inner lip, his gaze coming back onto Mister LaRusso with a furrowed brow. His fingers motionless around the man's hand. ]

I thought that was in the past.

[ I thought we forgave each other. ]

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