[ Oh god, that answered his question. Something bad had happened. Did Carl die? No, Enid said - but what if Dad is after Enid's time?
Carl hugs Dad tightly, his head pressing against Dad's shoulder. Someone's murmuring little nothings, and he doesn't quite put together until later he realizes it was him who was saying things to Dad, like he's the scared child and Carl's the adult. Dad has always been someone that towers over Carl, but never menacing. Always strong and comforting. And now?
Dad feels frail and small in Carl's arms, and Carl doesn't know how to feel about that. ]
It's okay, Dad, I'm here . . . I'm here . . .
[ The same words Dad said to Carl as Carl returns from a Swear-In that ripped itself apart in fear. But things are different.
No one is going to hurt his family ever again. No one. ]
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Carl hugs Dad tightly, his head pressing against Dad's shoulder. Someone's murmuring little nothings, and he doesn't quite put together until later he realizes it was him who was saying things to Dad, like he's the scared child and Carl's the adult. Dad has always been someone that towers over Carl, but never menacing. Always strong and comforting. And now?
Dad feels frail and small in Carl's arms, and Carl doesn't know how to feel about that. ]
It's okay, Dad, I'm here . . . I'm here . . .
[ The same words Dad said to Carl as Carl returns from a Swear-In that ripped itself apart in fear. But things are different.
No one is going to hurt his family ever again. No one. ]