[There'd be no use in sugarcoating it, anyway; it's hearing so plainly that if she screws up, her brother is going to die, that forces her to settle, but it's the careful comfort that calms her enough that she even can.]
I can't— [And she's tearing up now, because all that emotion has to go somewhere, but crying instead of shouting and thrashing is her version of approaching calm, so this counts as a win.] I can't—not again—
[But if she panics, her brother is going to die. She takes a deep, shaky breath, and wipes uselessly at her eyes with her jacket sleeve.] Right. [Who knew Clover was capable of whispering!] We'll work together. [There are people she cares about here, too, keeping her steady, and together keeps her grounded.] Right. Okay. [She sniffs, tries taking another deep breath.]
...Sorry. [Usually she does all she can to avoid apologizing for anything, but she's not especially pleased about having to be talked down from ruining literally everything with explosions by probably the only person responsible enough to try while also being liked enough for her to actually listen. So Break's cool enough to be apologized to.]
no subject
I can't— [And she's tearing up now, because all that emotion has to go somewhere, but crying instead of shouting and thrashing is her version of approaching calm, so this counts as a win.] I can't—not again—
[But if she panics, her brother is going to die. She takes a deep, shaky breath, and wipes uselessly at her eyes with her jacket sleeve.] Right. [Who knew Clover was capable of whispering!] We'll work together. [There are people she cares about here, too, keeping her steady, and together keeps her grounded.] Right. Okay. [She sniffs, tries taking another deep breath.]
...Sorry. [Usually she does all she can to avoid apologizing for anything, but she's not especially pleased about having to be talked down from ruining literally everything with explosions by probably the only person responsible enough to try while also being liked enough for her to actually listen. So Break's cool enough to be apologized to.]