[ There's a lengthy pause from his end. He's mulling over her words, asking himself the same thing, because he wouldn't exactly call himself kind, just as he wouldn't readily call himself good.
It's the trying that makes all the difference when you live the life that you choose.
And then, finally: ] I had a brother who looked up to me. Who needed a father because ours decided he didn't want to be one anymore.
[ He takes a breath, and Alayne can probably hear it through the comm: ] Life sucks, Alayne. It throws you things that make you hurt. But it's not a good enough excuse to cause that hurt. [ He pauses. ] And I've done my fair share of hurts.
I'm just trying to make the most of what I have right now. [ Because when COMPASS is done with all of them, there won't be a home to go back to. Not for him. ]
( x i i : d 1 )
It's the trying that makes all the difference when you live the life that you choose.
And then, finally: ] I had a brother who looked up to me. Who needed a father because ours decided he didn't want to be one anymore.
[ He takes a breath, and Alayne can probably hear it through the comm: ] Life sucks, Alayne. It throws you things that make you hurt. But it's not a good enough excuse to cause that hurt. [ He pauses. ] And I've done my fair share of hurts.
I'm just trying to make the most of what I have right now. [ Because when COMPASS is done with all of them, there won't be a home to go back to. Not for him. ]