Eridanus's eyes widen, along with the way his grip unconsciously tightens on Riley's shoulder. Ariel is Aunamee. He should've known. It's all she has to say, all she has to show him. How foolish he was to think the mere presence of a face could mask that same cloying voiceโand he had fallen right into it like a fly to a honeyed trap.
His grip relaxes before it can hurt her, and instead curls around Riley's nape to comfort her.]
It's okay, sweetheart. Take your time.
[He keeps his tone even, comforting. He has to force down the bile that rises in his throat, and ignore the fury that sears through his veins and threatens to rupture through his skin.
For Riley, he tells himself. He must be strong for when she isn't.]
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Eridanus's eyes widen, along with the way his grip unconsciously tightens on Riley's shoulder. Ariel is Aunamee. He should've known. It's all she has to say, all she has to show him. How foolish he was to think the mere presence of a face could mask that same cloying voiceโand he had fallen right into it like a fly to a honeyed trap.
His grip relaxes before it can hurt her, and instead curls around Riley's nape to comfort her.]
It's okay, sweetheart. Take your time.
[He keeps his tone even, comforting. He has to force down the bile that rises in his throat, and ignore the fury that sears through his veins and threatens to rupture through his skin.
For Riley, he tells himself. He must be strong for when she isn't.]
Did Aunamee hurt you? Threaten you? Tell me.