He inhales sharply, stops himself before he says more.
Rarely does the Chief Consul find himself at a loss for words. The times that he does fluster around his thoughts are often when he is caught between a rock and a hard place; when he is staring straight at his own reflection from a pool of guilt. That day didn't turn out the way anyone could have predicted, and if anything, it was Roland who felt that he needed to make amends. He didn't know. But that was no excuse. Look at the mess he had inadvertently left behind. Look at the pain he has once again wrought on those closest to him.
The grip on Inigo's shoulders grow lax. His voice falls into a hushed whisper, earnest and laden with regret.
"You stole the words right out of my mouth." Roland says. "I didn't do my job. I didn't see the hit. The fight had to end when I knew you were already...I needed to get him as far away from you as possible. That's all my mind could think of. Inigo, I'm sorry." He sighs deeply, his hands letting go. The silence that follows speaks volumes; in between the words Roland says and what he truly means. If I had known Reno would meet you with such malice, I wouldn't have encouraged you...I shouldn't have...!
There's something else he wants to express, something he wasn't able to tell Inigo at the height of things. Roland doubts Inigo will believe him, but goodness does he try to make it even more obvious about how genuine he feels when he adds:
"For what it's worth, I'm proud of you." Roland attempts to meet his gaze, even if he will find no reciprocation, no connection. "Inigo, you did stand up to him. You said no to all his bullying, his abuse. Even if it ended the way that it did..." Even if I let you bleed.
Roland chortles dryly, but it's not because he finds amusement in what they were talking about. Oh, the press would have had a field day back in his home world if they caught wind of what the president had to say about this.
"...between you and me, I'm kind of glad you threw the first punch." His right hand carefully rises to nudge gently at Inigo's chin, tilting it in affection. "After the stunts he's been pulling, I think he deserved it."
He attempts to smile, when he remembers that moment in time, fully.
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He inhales sharply, stops himself before he says more.
Rarely does the Chief Consul find himself at a loss for words. The times that he does fluster around his thoughts are often when he is caught between a rock and a hard place; when he is staring straight at his own reflection from a pool of guilt. That day didn't turn out the way anyone could have predicted, and if anything, it was Roland who felt that he needed to make amends. He didn't know. But that was no excuse. Look at the mess he had inadvertently left behind. Look at the pain he has once again wrought on those closest to him.
The grip on Inigo's shoulders grow lax. His voice falls into a hushed whisper, earnest and laden with regret.
"You stole the words right out of my mouth." Roland says. "I didn't do my job. I didn't see the hit. The fight had to end when I knew you were already...I needed to get him as far away from you as possible. That's all my mind could think of. Inigo, I'm sorry." He sighs deeply, his hands letting go. The silence that follows speaks volumes; in between the words Roland says and what he truly means. If I had known Reno would meet you with such malice, I wouldn't have encouraged you...I shouldn't have...!
There's something else he wants to express, something he wasn't able to tell Inigo at the height of things. Roland doubts Inigo will believe him, but goodness does he try to make it even more obvious about how genuine he feels when he adds:
"For what it's worth, I'm proud of you." Roland attempts to meet his gaze, even if he will find no reciprocation, no connection. "Inigo, you did stand up to him. You said no to all his bullying, his abuse. Even if it ended the way that it did..." Even if I let you bleed.
Roland chortles dryly, but it's not because he finds amusement in what they were talking about. Oh, the press would have had a field day back in his home world if they caught wind of what the president had to say about this.
"...between you and me, I'm kind of glad you threw the first punch." His right hand carefully rises to nudge gently at Inigo's chin, tilting it in affection. "After the stunts he's been pulling, I think he deserved it."
He attempts to smile, when he remembers that moment in time, fully.
"Thanks. For standing up for me, too."
Don't call Roland an asshole, you jerk!