[ he sees as much as he knows elena's assent from the corner of his eye. he counts on it, on her, for this: their alliance, and not only the one they made the day he arrived here. (the one they made in blood, in understanding, in bond—) it's a strength, knowing he has elena on this side, because he knows that in doing so, despite any and all their veering methods, they will not lose. the ensuing agonies and torments caroline will suffer cannot be avoided (he knows, with the weight of despair in his chest, the likelihood that they won't) but they will make it right, in the end. they care for the same person.
but there is no resolved no buoyed feeling that can stop him from flinching at caroline's easy and empty cheer. (he sees that mirrored resolve in her eyes, for the record, and he does not receive it lightly. he feels that cold rage viscerally, down his bones and along his skin; he feels it call and in answer to his.) he blinks at her, rears his head back the smallest inch as she stands. he blinks at her issued plans and the implication in their mutual destination.
it's that and her flirtation he finds the most curious. (the most scoring.) his lips part and then he closes them. (what better way to keep an eye on her? what intenser and more unrelenting heartache can there be? it's what she intends. she intends something.) there's something violent in his dimples, something flat in his eyes, when he smiles. he steps to the side, and gestures for the door. ] By all means, lead the way. [ only when she passes does he move those eyes to elena, the bitter veil in them dropped: they reassure. they say he will take care of her. ]
no subject
but there is no resolved no buoyed feeling that can stop him from flinching at caroline's easy and empty cheer. (he sees that mirrored resolve in her eyes, for the record, and he does not receive it lightly. he feels that cold rage viscerally, down his bones and along his skin; he feels it call and in answer to his.) he blinks at her, rears his head back the smallest inch as she stands. he blinks at her issued plans and the implication in their mutual destination.
it's that and her flirtation he finds the most curious. (the most scoring.) his lips part and then he closes them. (what better way to keep an eye on her? what intenser and more unrelenting heartache can there be? it's what she intends. she intends something.) there's something violent in his dimples, something flat in his eyes, when he smiles. he steps to the side, and gestures for the door. ] By all means, lead the way. [ only when she passes does he move those eyes to elena, the bitter veil in them dropped: they reassure. they say he will take care of her. ]