(Hershel grumbled at the light, and hugged her gently, and somewhat awkwardly.)

I'll fetch your medicine, love, I'll be back shortly.

Oh, a migraine..? Oh dear... perhaps that was a lot, earlier...

(He set a hand on Hershel's back.)

And you'll do great..!

(Hershel grumbled softly and buried his face into the couch.)

I see. I will do my best to help, then.

(He tucked her hair behind her ear.)

Persistent is the best description for you, my girl. When you have a plan, it gets done.

I commend your fighting spirit and I wish you the best of luck. It will be a hard fought battle either way.

I don't know if you can remove the worry from love, but you can certainly try.

Well, it's too late to wonder about that, we've already taken you..! Such is the way of life, it's mostly one way.

The sadness and worry do not counteract the joy and fun. You remember that, mijn sterrenkind.

(He took her face with both hands, turned her to him, and squished her cheeks.)

Maybe, maybe, maybe. But you're already here, and we already love you, and you're already being established in the community.

It's too late to try and turn back now.

I know, it's awful... I've had to cancel plans I was excited about because even the meds weren't helping... it's infuriating.

In the end, we'll make do. It's all we can do now.

For your own mental wellbeing, my girl, you must rest when you're at your worst. The wheelchair counts as rest.

And either way, it will be you and me against the world, together in our chairs.

Getting to know your limits, learning when you can walk or when you need the wheelchair, it's small things like that.

I'll be with you every step of the way, okay? I'll help you learn the cues from your body.

It's a fine line between listening to your pain for benefit and for detriment... you shouldn't push yourself too far.

I wouldn't say fine, necessarily, but certainly not as bad...

(He supported her gently so she didn't have to fight to stay sitting, and brought the cup over.)

Resting isn't just sleep, it's also simply relaxing your body.

Do you need anything in the meantime? I brought some water for you, with a straw this time so you don't have to sit up.

He's felt this way since he was very young... but we can help. We will help.

For now, though, you should rest...

Some people think that's the only way to be happy... because it's all they've known.

They think if they're lonely, it'll never hurt.

Well, you're persistent, for one. For two, you're one of the first people that he willingly showed himself to simply to talk and comfort you.

You've already made a lot of progress so far.

He does... he really does...

(He leaned down and kissed Hershel's temple lightly, then kissed Vero's forehead.)

I think you're the driving force he needs, my dear.

For Pater, he loves so deeply that it's hard to keep the fear at bay. We'll have to try hard to help him...

... it will take a long time, and a lot of effort...

He lost his parents as a boy, spent twenty years thinking he lost me, and ten 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 he lost them... he's terrified of losing you too, even if you won't leave...

It's okay, it's... hah, it's practically my natural state...

(He tucked Hershel's hair behind his ear.)

This hasn't happened with me around before... D—... Pater isn't fond of me seeing him. He worries I'll become attached as well.

...

(He settled on the couch beside Hershel.)

I believe he's worn himself out completely, dear...

(Descole continued to reassure her as Simon nodded stiffly, making his way to her bedroom and the kitchen.

Descole has never been so... soft... around him.)

H-here...

His jokes are nice, just terribly executed, haha..!

("Hey..!")

(He chuckles.)

You hear that, love? If she laughs at your jokes, you'll just keep going..!

(Hershel waved him away with a chuckle.)

Not always, if you can pretend well enough, they think it's true.

But it's okay, I know you don't plan on doing that.

Some people pretend to do things if they know it helps people feel better.

You don't have to do anything special, a contagious laugh just makes everyone else happy and makes them laugh too..! But it has to be a real laugh, it can't be a fake one.

Hehe, your laughter is contagious, sweetheart, that's quite a talent..!

(He swiped her tears away with a grin.)

(He and Hershel laughed alongside her, her joy infectious.)

(He puffed the air out a little at a time with each poke, then chuckled when it was all out.)

You're so silly, mijn sterrenkind..!