Last service

Crying Hati/Marcus's POV

Zoilus weighs heavy on my shoulders. I distinctly remember telling him not to eat so damn much. Wouldn't have thought that his disobedience would lead to this. Fuck.

Just focus on the mission, everything else comes after that. Why I did what I did, what does any of it mean, everything comes after.

Right now, we need to focus and keep our emotions in control.

Just as I'm about to tell you to get a move on, you stumble on your feet.

'How are you that clumsy', I almost ask, but when loud weeping sounds fill the air, I halt my tongue.

Uh. Oh, shit.

I look around. This must be the worst place for… that.

"Hey..." I want to say that Zoilus wouldn't care if you wept for him. He'd beat some sense into you and call you a wimp. But I don't think you're crying over Zoilus's early demise.

Stress, maybe? I mean, it can be stressful to almost get murdered. Utterly normal reaction.

Alright, what do I usually tell to the men who break down on my watch? 

I tell them to get that shit out of my sight when they're in the middle of a mission. Afterward, we can talk. Not now.

I glance at you. Wouldn't work. You'd probably try to beat the shit out of me. Or cry harder. Perhaps, you would obey but your eyes would be filled with poison when you look at me. 

I may be wrong but you look like you need some reassurance.

So, a new plan. You want reassurance? I'll give it to you.

"There there," I say as my hand lands on your head. Little movements, not too much pressure, just like petting a cat. One might be able to play rough with dogs but you would most certainly flee.

- "Seriously? 'There there'"

    Your sarcastic voice asks. I do have to applaud you for sticking up to your will to annoy me even through the tears.

    Marvelous, really.

- You flee my touch.

    My hand is left hovering in place. Oh. Of course, you wouldn't want to be touched by me. 

    What did I expect? Stupid.

- You remain in place.

    I keep petting you. It's considerably less awkward if I think of you as Tinsae's little cat. You seem a bit tense but at least you're not running away. Or crying louder. So, it seems to be working. I would, in fact, call this a success.

- You continue crying.

    This reassurance tactic seems to be insufficient. In fact, it doesn't work at all. I hope I'm not just making things worse. What else could I do? I can't just pick you up in a hug, that would most likely make you angry on top of being sad and shocked.

You raise your puffy face to look at me. I expect anger, fear, and anything in between. Instead, there's disgust.

"Ah!" You shout.

That's a fitting reaction, too.

"Why are you still holding him?!"

Oh, right! I didn't even realize that Zoilus was looking at you, too. "Sorry." 

At least that took some of the awkwardness off. Thank you, Zoilus. One last service to your Centurion.