[His voice is a soft coo as his claws run over her feathered hair once more, the feel of her trembling form so impossibly small in his large arms. It no longer feels as if he is comforting a replacement, but his very own daughter. One he can actually support, and be there forโunlike the children he was forced to leave behind. This is a chance, he reminds himself, to make up for all the missed opportunities to right his wrongs.
Eridanus threads his fingers tightly against the base of Riley's skull, not so firm that it would hurt her, but to be the anchor she could lean on. To allow her the comfort of weeping into his chest, without judgement. He holds her there, protectively, with no sign of wanting to let go.
Riley is his, now. Whomever her parents before were, they did not deserve her.]
You did not know โ you were harmed, protecting yourself, and I don't hold any of it against you. [Eridanus relaxes enough that he can pull Riley's face up to look him in the eye,] but I will never harm you. I want for nothing but your health and happiness, dear Riley... okay? Do you trust me?
no subject
[His voice is a soft coo as his claws run over her feathered hair once more, the feel of her trembling form so impossibly small in his large arms. It no longer feels as if he is comforting a replacement, but his very own daughter. One he can actually support, and be there forโunlike the children he was forced to leave behind. This is a chance, he reminds himself, to make up for all the missed opportunities to right his wrongs.
Eridanus threads his fingers tightly against the base of Riley's skull, not so firm that it would hurt her, but to be the anchor she could lean on. To allow her the comfort of weeping into his chest, without judgement. He holds her there, protectively, with no sign of wanting to let go.
Riley is his, now. Whomever her parents before were, they did not deserve her.]
You did not know โ you were harmed, protecting yourself, and I don't hold any of it against you. [Eridanus relaxes enough that he can pull Riley's face up to look him in the eye,] but I will never harm you. I want for nothing but your health and happiness, dear Riley... okay? Do you trust me?