Kellam’s fingers gripped the bark beneath him, the coarse texture grounding him against the flood of emotions Ruth’s words stirred. The quiet acceptance in his son’s tone wasn’t the defiance he was used to—it was something worse. Resignation. That heavy, soul-deep kind of weariness Kellam had once believed he owned the patent for. He leaned forward slightly, his jaw tightening, trying to temper the fury bubbling in his chest. Not at Ruth, but at himself, at everything that had led them here.
*Say what you need to say.* Ruth's voice echoed in Kellam’s mind like a taunt, daring him to reach beyond the barriers they'd both built over the years. But what was there to say that wouldn’t sound like a hollow platitude? What could he say that wouldn’t crack open the unrelenting anger he felt toward himself, toward the world, toward the demon raging inside him?
Kellam exhaled slowly, a sound that was almost a growl. The demon, Malakar, stirred, whispering sharp and caustic suggestions in the back of his mind: *This is a waste of time. He doesn’t want you here. He doesn’t need you. Turn around and walk away before you make it worse.*
But Kellam stayed. For once, he shoved Malakar’s voice aside.
He paused, leaning back slightly against the trunk, letting his gaze drift to the canopy above.
Another pause, longer this time. Kellam wasn’t good at this kind of thing, and it showed in the deliberate way he chose his words, trying to tread carefully without losing the core of what he needed to say.
His gaze shifted to Ruth again, hesitant, as though unsure of how his words would be received.
@Ruth Yoesif
*Say what you need to say.* Ruth's voice echoed in Kellam’s mind like a taunt, daring him to reach beyond the barriers they'd both built over the years. But what was there to say that wouldn’t sound like a hollow platitude? What could he say that wouldn’t crack open the unrelenting anger he felt toward himself, toward the world, toward the demon raging inside him?
Kellam exhaled slowly, a sound that was almost a growl. The demon, Malakar, stirred, whispering sharp and caustic suggestions in the back of his mind: *This is a waste of time. He doesn’t want you here. He doesn’t need you. Turn around and walk away before you make it worse.*
But Kellam stayed. For once, he shoved Malakar’s voice aside.
You’re not wrong,he said.
About Megara. She’s got a talent for saying what I need to hear, even when I’d rather not listen.
He paused, leaning back slightly against the trunk, letting his gaze drift to the canopy above.
I’m not going to pretend I’ve earned the right to be here. That I suddenly know how to...He trailed off, his fingers flexing against the bark as if grasping for the right words.
How to do this.
Another pause, longer this time. Kellam wasn’t good at this kind of thing, and it showed in the deliberate way he chose his words, trying to tread carefully without losing the core of what he needed to say.
I didn’t come to lecture,he continued, his tone quieter now, almost contemplative.
Maker knows you’ve had your fill of that. And I’m not here to... fix anything. I’m not that naïve.
His gaze shifted to Ruth again, hesitant, as though unsure of how his words would be received.
But maybe, just this once, I could... listen. If you wanted me to.He let out a dry, humorless chuckle.
I’m told that’s where people like me usually start.
@Ruth Yoesif
12-01-2024, 10:45 AM
