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[dontgiveafock]

[He'd been there for hours, back torn open from the flogging received and body a mass of agony. Joe was aware that he wasn't the worst dealt that day, but it didn't mean his pain wasn't still on the extreme. He knew he should probably sleep, that the coming days would be busy, but for the moment, the man was content to stare blankly at the ground before him.

Guilt, was what he felt the most. For Sollux, and for Nel. The woman he wanted to scream at for being so foolish, for throwing her life away when he knew there was nothing she could do. Joe had witnessed and been part of enough trials to know that there was no passing the Headsman.]

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[allthesame2me]

[Alex flits his pained gaze toward Joe as the cook speaks. He hadn't expected this sort of a reaction to any of this. He hadn't expected anyone to speak up for him or offer him help, now that the effect of his change was known. Bryn, Anders .. Joe .. Kevas, in a weird 'I'll kill you if I must' kind of way.

There is a burn behind his lids that he blinks away quickly and he swallows around the thickness in his throat.]

Thanks, Joe .. You don- .. thanks.

[Unlike others, Alex has absolutely no problem with Joe, nor any lack of faith in him. Joe has been nothing but good to him and now would certainly not be the time to lie or try to get something. No, Joe, you're cool with Alex. Then Isabella is speaking and Alex turns his blue-green gaze to her once more. Her voice is soft and full of pain and the guilt just comes back full force as she says that she forgives him.]

Isabella I'm sorry .. what I am is no excuse .. I should have warned all of you so you'd have been prepared. All of this could have been avoided .. It's my fault that this happened ..

[All his fault, really .. and if what Sollux said about the moon is right, then maybe it always has been. He's pulled from his thoughts as she moves to position the blanket under his knees and with a bit of adjusting and a refusal to make a single sound of pain, his knees are resting on the soft material.

She smells so afraid .. and the knowledge that he's done this to her makes Alex absolutely sick with guilt. However, searching her face, he can see there is more.]

'bella .. talk to me ..

[He looks up at her and his gaze holds no blame or expectations. Whatever she wants or NEEDS to say he will listen to and he will take.]

[halfbrokenwings.livejournal.com]

[Isabella shakes her head no. Those words would be cruel when even now, Isabella feels that being here next to Alex is itself a cruelty. For both of them. She is frightened and he keeps apologizing....]

Alex, I spoke the truth to the Headsman. I forgive you for what you did to me... if ... I could- ... I tried to ... I did not want you punished on my behalf.

[She breaks the bread she has in her hands. The black shirt is over one arm, and serves as a reminder why she was so torn over forgiveness and loyalty. ]

I have some bread... for you.