[The change in subject is just a natural reaction to Lalli's irritable expression once the panic wears off, a well-practiced response from years of learning that when Lalli gets too overwhelmed he gets angry and it's best to leave him alone or change the subject.
Right now, Onni doesn't think he could bear to leave Lalli alone, he doesn't want to let him out of his sight, he doesn't want to let go of him.
When Lalli shrugs, Onni takes a halting little breath and rubs his hand over his face, trying to figure out what to say to make this better for Lalli. It's hard, it's almost impossible, when Lalli can't explain all the nuances of what's hurting him so Onni can soothe him with words, and simple touches don't work to comfort Lalli in the way they do for other people.
Another moment or two, and he exhales, closes his eyes just for a moment.]
I know you probably don't want to talk about it. You don't have to talk, just listen to me.
[He takes a careful, measured breath, doesn't bother trying to make eye contact with Lalli because if he's like this there's no chance of that happening, and speaks in as calm and firm a voice as he can.]
What happened to her isn't your fault. You understand me? I was there too, in a way. I know what you were facing. You did everything you could. I don't need apologies from you for that.
[He knows it's stupid, and a bad idea, that he's asking to be bitten or kicked or for Lalli to shut down or spiral into being overwhelmed again, but he reaches out and smooths back a bit of his little cousin's hair from his temple.]
no subject
Right now, Onni doesn't think he could bear to leave Lalli alone, he doesn't want to let him out of his sight, he doesn't want to let go of him.
When Lalli shrugs, Onni takes a halting little breath and rubs his hand over his face, trying to figure out what to say to make this better for Lalli. It's hard, it's almost impossible, when Lalli can't explain all the nuances of what's hurting him so Onni can soothe him with words, and simple touches don't work to comfort Lalli in the way they do for other people.
Another moment or two, and he exhales, closes his eyes just for a moment.]
I know you probably don't want to talk about it. You don't have to talk, just listen to me.
[He takes a careful, measured breath, doesn't bother trying to make eye contact with Lalli because if he's like this there's no chance of that happening, and speaks in as calm and firm a voice as he can.]
What happened to her isn't your fault. You understand me? I was there too, in a way. I know what you were facing. You did everything you could. I don't need apologies from you for that.
[He knows it's stupid, and a bad idea, that he's asking to be bitten or kicked or for Lalli to shut down or spiral into being overwhelmed again, but he reaches out and smooths back a bit of his little cousin's hair from his temple.]
You came home safe. That's all I needed from you.