[Koby hadn't been able to say it, hadn't known how to verbalize what he needed to bring him back to the real world, to release the grip his silent, mental torment had, but Mihawk had known. He'd known, had pressed forward and brought him into his body and kept him there, kept him safe with the sheer force of his presence.
Each shaky, stuttering breath pulls Koby a little more back to where he is, who he is, reminds him that the things that used to be ever-present -- fear and hunger and exhaustion and loneliness -- are gone. They can't touch him here. Not when Mihawk's there, invincible and immovable and his.
This time the sound of Mihawk's voice doesn't prompt Koby to flinch away or try to protect himself. He lets out a shuddery sob, pressing closer to the sound, letting it curl around him like a physical touch. It's the familiar, adored timbre, tone, endlessly gentle, soothing the frenetic, wild beat of Koby's heart. He curls towards it, tucks himself under Mihawk's chin and manages a nod.]
(It felt natural, really, now that he thought about it. He couldn't cut Koby's problems down with a sword, but his body had always been reliable. Perhaps he could just remind Koby of where he was and who he was with. That Mihawk would cut down entire cities for him without a second thought.
Hearing Koby so terrified and broken struck something deep inside of Mihawk, and for the first time ever, Mihawk realized that he wanted to keep someone safe for once. Not just happy, but safe. Secure. Protected.
Everything Mihawk has never bothered with out of the callousness of his own indifference. He had never had to bother with keeping Shanks safe whether from other threats or his own mind - at least not like this. Shanks could keep himself safe. Koby though...
Perhaps in the future he could, but right now, he was Mihawk's responsibility.)
Of course, I won't leave. (Determined and fierce. He pulls up, bracing himself on an arm so that he can look Koby in the eye. He pauses, hesitating a moment, and then slowly forces himself to say what he always knew to be true:)
You...couldn't get me to leave even if you begged me, Koby. (The very opposite of Mihawk's usual stance on giving Koby all the power, all the control. For this thing and this thing alone, Mihawk thinks that maybe it's all right if he is selfish.)
Whatever strikes this terror in your heart - I won't let you deal with it alone. Ever.
[The warmth of the blankets, the pillows, Mihawk's body against his is slowly coaxing the shivering to abate, keeping Koby present, aware. He tucks closer to Mihawk, knees bumping against his, breathing in his scent, hand sliding down his side, finding the familiar jut of his hip, the contour of the muscles in his lower back. It's a pattern Koby would know from touch alone, tracing over the warm, skin, the fur, curling his fingers gently in it.
Looking up, eyes teary and deep blue in the dim light, Koby hiccups out a breath, coming back to himself more with each word.] Sorry. [Of course that's the first thing he manages to say, reaching up to wipe at his tear-streaked face.] It's -- just dreams I have sometimes. They're not...not real, I'm. It's over. It's fine.
[Voice breaking, squeezing his eyes shut:] I'm f-fine.
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Each shaky, stuttering breath pulls Koby a little more back to where he is, who he is, reminds him that the things that used to be ever-present -- fear and hunger and exhaustion and loneliness -- are gone. They can't touch him here. Not when Mihawk's there, invincible and immovable and his.
This time the sound of Mihawk's voice doesn't prompt Koby to flinch away or try to protect himself. He lets out a shuddery sob, pressing closer to the sound, letting it curl around him like a physical touch. It's the familiar, adored timbre, tone, endlessly gentle, soothing the frenetic, wild beat of Koby's heart. He curls towards it, tucks himself under Mihawk's chin and manages a nod.]
You're here. [It's soft, barely audible. Then, again, firmer:] You're here. You're real. You -- won't leave.
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Hearing Koby so terrified and broken struck something deep inside of Mihawk, and for the first time ever, Mihawk realized that he wanted to keep someone safe for once. Not just happy, but safe. Secure. Protected.
Everything Mihawk has never bothered with out of the callousness of his own indifference. He had never had to bother with keeping Shanks safe whether from other threats or his own mind - at least not like this. Shanks could keep himself safe. Koby though...
Perhaps in the future he could, but right now, he was Mihawk's responsibility.)
Of course, I won't leave. (Determined and fierce. He pulls up, bracing himself on an arm so that he can look Koby in the eye. He pauses, hesitating a moment, and then slowly forces himself to say what he always knew to be true:)
You...couldn't get me to leave even if you begged me, Koby. (The very opposite of Mihawk's usual stance on giving Koby all the power, all the control. For this thing and this thing alone, Mihawk thinks that maybe it's all right if he is selfish.)
Whatever strikes this terror in your heart - I won't let you deal with it alone. Ever.
no subject
Looking up, eyes teary and deep blue in the dim light, Koby hiccups out a breath, coming back to himself more with each word.] Sorry. [Of course that's the first thing he manages to say, reaching up to wipe at his tear-streaked face.] It's -- just dreams I have sometimes. They're not...not real, I'm. It's over. It's fine.
[Voice breaking, squeezing his eyes shut:] I'm f-fine.