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Alessio wouldn’t look at him for a time.

Then when he did it was just a flash. A flash of desperation and fear. Have I harmed you? Nithel’s chest ached some at the thought. He doubted it was likely, Yet still.

Alessio’s dark eyes slowly lifted again. Locking on Nithel’s confused ones. Please don’t do this to me. If you don’t actually care, please don’t pretend you do. Such raw pain and fear. Like that of Corban. The child when he had fallen in the water. 

But Corban had trusted him, Alessio did not. That cut all in itself. Nithel let the pain fill his eyes, but also a kind love.

Small anger touched his eyes as well, at those who had harmed this boy. That had wounded him so deeply. It made Nithel want to find them. That firey anger wasn’t very small seconds later.

This anger isn’t towards you. Nithel wanted to say, but hoped it was in his eyes. That hope, and steady love was in his eyes beside the fire that slowly dulled.

Nithel would have spoken. He would have touched Alessio’s shoulder, and spoken as if he was his son. Their eyes still locked. But too many were watching. Alessio wouldn’t appreciate being made a spectacle when trying to gain respect. Would he? Nithel didn’t know. But he waited, still looking into his friend’s eyes.

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