- That the role of a king never changes, even when he's no longer in his realm. That from the very beginning, Roland swore an oath to put the lives of others before his own; as a father, as a president. That Inigo's father as king probably did the same, regardless of what caused his passing. That Inigo's father loved him, and Roland knows that's the only thing that would have made his sacrifice worth it, in the end; to know that you helped protect the world your son will inherit long after you are gone. That it isn't a child's job to protect their parent; it's always the other way around.
There is a lot Roland wants to say, but in this moment, as his hand continues to stroke the back of Inigo's head, the boy looking younger and younger by the minute, he decides to stay silent.
For how could he promise something he wasn't sure he could keep, when the time came? How could he promise a child - someone he readily saw as his own - that should he die and never come back, the only thing Inigo can do is move forward, never to be shackled to the past?
Was this not his role in life? To be the protector, the shield, the one to defend, no matter the cost? He bites his lip, the shaking in Inigo's voice causing him discomfort. On that fateful day, when all was lost to him in the blink of an eye, William lost a father too. But if Will was here, in his arms, asking, begging for the answer - If I lose you that way too, then what will I do?
Roland carefully kneels on one leg so that his eyes are leveled with Inigo's own. And it pains him to see that dazed look misting over him; he was but a boy, so lost, so scared. Too much grief coming from someone so merciful. So kind. 'Will you resent me, Inigo? One day...I wonder if you'll grow to think of me differently...' he thinks to himself, hands still latching onto this moment, stroking his hair, sometimes the sides of his face in hopes that Roland's touch will make Inigo understand that sacrifice is part of who he is.
When he finds his voice again, it's steadier, quieter. But no less intense. No less caring and full of warmth, like a lullaby to calm. And he draws in just a tad bit closer, enough to lean his forehead against his. Roland knows what to say, at last.
"You won't have to worry about that, because as long as I'm here, nothing is going to happen." The words are echoes of his past, but they remain true to his heart all the same. "You won't lose me that way, because I won't let it end that way." He cradles Inigo's hands in his. Somehow, in his grasp, they are tinier now, more fragile.
"Have faith in me. I'll stay with you, for as long as you need me. Until you get sick of me." Roland leans back to shake his head, gaze low, staring at where they now intersect, fingers splayed and interlocking.
"I won't abandon you. If you call, I'll run straight to you, to be right beside you. Okay, son?"
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- That the role of a king never changes, even when he's no longer in his realm. That from the very beginning, Roland swore an oath to put the lives of others before his own; as a father, as a president. That Inigo's father as king probably did the same, regardless of what caused his passing. That Inigo's father loved him, and Roland knows that's the only thing that would have made his sacrifice worth it, in the end; to know that you helped protect the world your son will inherit long after you are gone. That it isn't a child's job to protect their parent; it's always the other way around.
There is a lot Roland wants to say, but in this moment, as his hand continues to stroke the back of Inigo's head, the boy looking younger and younger by the minute, he decides to stay silent.
For how could he promise something he wasn't sure he could keep, when the time came? How could he promise a child - someone he readily saw as his own - that should he die and never come back, the only thing Inigo can do is move forward, never to be shackled to the past?
Was this not his role in life? To be the protector, the shield, the one to defend, no matter the cost? He bites his lip, the shaking in Inigo's voice causing him discomfort. On that fateful day, when all was lost to him in the blink of an eye, William lost a father too. But if Will was here, in his arms, asking, begging for the answer - If I lose you that way too, then what will I do?
Roland carefully kneels on one leg so that his eyes are leveled with Inigo's own. And it pains him to see that dazed look misting over him; he was but a boy, so lost, so scared. Too much grief coming from someone so merciful. So kind. 'Will you resent me, Inigo? One day...I wonder if you'll grow to think of me differently...' he thinks to himself, hands still latching onto this moment, stroking his hair, sometimes the sides of his face in hopes that Roland's touch will make Inigo understand that sacrifice is part of who he is.
When he finds his voice again, it's steadier, quieter. But no less intense. No less caring and full of warmth, like a lullaby to calm. And he draws in just a tad bit closer, enough to lean his forehead against his. Roland knows what to say, at last.
"You won't have to worry about that, because as long as I'm here, nothing is going to happen." The words are echoes of his past, but they remain true to his heart all the same. "You won't lose me that way, because I won't let it end that way." He cradles Inigo's hands in his. Somehow, in his grasp, they are tinier now, more fragile.
"Have faith in me. I'll stay with you, for as long as you need me. Until you get sick of me." Roland leans back to shake his head, gaze low, staring at where they now intersect, fingers splayed and interlocking.
"I won't abandon you. If you call, I'll run straight to you, to be right beside you. Okay, son?"