[ it will take time - time, and discipline - for kaveh to really think it through and settle onto the logical answer here, the knowledge that of course it wasn't his fault. who would blame a child for encouraging their father? how many times had tighnari done the same, urging his own parents to bring him gifts and souvenirs from their travels? it could very easily have happened to him as well, he was simply fortunate that it didn't.
but kaveh has years of self-blame to undo, and it won't be done in a single night, but over many weeks, months, perhaps years. yet tighnari will help him all the way, will always be there to guide him and support him up and sternly chastise him when it's needed. and even still, for as painful as it has been, this night certainly feels like a breakthrough, as if the festering abscess in kaveh's heart has finally been ruptured, spilling its sick infection so the wound can at last be properly cleaned. ]
Yes. One step at a time.
[ and so tighnari helps kaveh from the bath, helps him to dry off and wick the moisture from his hair, not because kaveh can't do it himself, but because tighnari wants to be there for him, every moment. once kaveh is dry, tighnari hands him an oversized robe to wrap into. it's a little bit short for him, but it should still fit comfortably. ]
no subject
but kaveh has years of self-blame to undo, and it won't be done in a single night, but over many weeks, months, perhaps years. yet tighnari will help him all the way, will always be there to guide him and support him up and sternly chastise him when it's needed. and even still, for as painful as it has been, this night certainly feels like a breakthrough, as if the festering abscess in kaveh's heart has finally been ruptured, spilling its sick infection so the wound can at last be properly cleaned. ]
Yes. One step at a time.
[ and so tighnari helps kaveh from the bath, helps him to dry off and wick the moisture from his hair, not because kaveh can't do it himself, but because tighnari wants to be there for him, every moment. once kaveh is dry, tighnari hands him an oversized robe to wrap into. it's a little bit short for him, but it should still fit comfortably. ]
Okay. Let's get some tea into you.