"I dunno. How many stories about hell end well, period?" That's kind of wry, but it's also very, very gentle. Like he is being as careful as he can to break some bad news. "Sweetheart, I don't intimidate easy, I don't back down, and I never plan to fail - but I'm smart enough to know what the options are here, and even the wins aren't end well. Might wanna reassess what you're trying to accomplish."
Edited (PLAN NOT PLAIN OMG.) 2024-11-10 02:08 (UTC)
"People have come and gone without - without losing too much." No one leaves the Hells as quite the same person they were before, but that's just life. Hope can be re-ignited, guilt can be soothed, fresh wounds can heal.
Of course, those people usually came of their own accord, as a fierce band of allies who knew damn well what they wanted. The Captain has been thrust into another realm's afterlife, utterly alone and with no leverage to speak of.
On the other hand, an archdevil compensates for a lot of that.
"We just need a little time, and - I should be able to do that." Most devils may resent his authority, but they do recognise it.
"I'm not gonna fight you on you having time." He's still being... gentle and warm. He isn't going to cut off avenues of possibilities. He especially isn't, when neither of them can speak freely. There can't be any meaningful discussion or planning.
Definitely questions aren't a thing he can ask. Like 'do how' and 'time for what' or the background and growing believe that he was brought rather than sent complicating it all.
He leaves his hand where it is, and has been.
"Anything particular you want me to be doing with that time?" Okay it's a question but. Probably the only one. And he doesn't really expect an answer. He does expect to be encouraging Zerxus to get some damn sleep.
If nothing else, he's clearly sinking into reluctant relaxation again; even he can only keep going on passion and adrenaline for so long.
Still, he musters the last of that strength to squeeze Steve's hand again, and give a firm answer.
"Follow my lead. Ignore other devils as much as you can, and don't accept anything they offer you. If I tell you to run, don't argue with me, just do it."
"Okay." Just that, before he settles back down, curls around Zerxus again and closes his eyes.
He... might run? It sort of depends, but there's no point in having that argument at all, much less right now.
Right now he's going to fall asleep and hope the devil he's in bed with does the same. He needs to heal more than he has. Steve will probably sleep more than he thinks in his attempt to convince Zerxus to, which will annoy him but probably be useful in the long run.
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Of course, those people usually came of their own accord, as a fierce band of allies who knew damn well what they wanted. The Captain has been thrust into another realm's afterlife, utterly alone and with no leverage to speak of.
On the other hand, an archdevil compensates for a lot of that.
"We just need a little time, and - I should be able to do that." Most devils may resent his authority, but they do recognise it.
no subject
Definitely questions aren't a thing he can ask. Like 'do how' and 'time for what' or the background and growing believe that he was brought rather than sent complicating it all.
He leaves his hand where it is, and has been.
"Anything particular you want me to be doing with that time?" Okay it's a question but. Probably the only one. And he doesn't really expect an answer. He does expect to be encouraging Zerxus to get some damn sleep.
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Still, he musters the last of that strength to squeeze Steve's hand again, and give a firm answer.
"Follow my lead. Ignore other devils as much as you can, and don't accept anything they offer you. If I tell you to run, don't argue with me, just do it."
no subject
He... might run? It sort of depends, but there's no point in having that argument at all, much less right now.
Right now he's going to fall asleep and hope the devil he's in bed with does the same. He needs to heal more than he has. Steve will probably sleep more than he thinks in his attempt to convince Zerxus to, which will annoy him but probably be useful in the long run.