[Hinata has been silent - at first it was shock from scaring Kogamo, then it was a spark of surprising anger from what Komaeda said. He doesn't yet have the knowledge of how many more days he'll spend angry; for now it's just a shock to feel like that towards Komaeda at all.
But seeing Natsume speak and move spurs him into action. Is it right, to lie to them like that? Won't that make the reality to come even crueler?
...But they're so small, so young. Can't even be five years old, he thinks. What good would the truth do them when they're still learning how to process that sort of thing?
Hinata kneels down beside the pile of Helena and Natsume and child. He doesn't have any younger siblings, no real experience with children at all. But he has the memories of another life with the girl whose name he finally remembers, and perhaps that's something that he can draw from after all.
His hand stretches out - hesitates for just a moment like he might pull back. But then he finishes the movement, gently reaching out to lay a hand on their head. Slowly, carefully, he lets his fingers card through their hair. He doesn't know if unfamiliar touch would be bad for them, but he remembers how it made that precious person smile, and so Hinata will hope that it will at least not cause harm if nothing else.]
I'm sorry. I know it hurts right now. But we're here for you.
[It's the one truth that he can offer them, even if they won't be able to accept it right now.]
no subject
But seeing Natsume speak and move spurs him into action. Is it right, to lie to them like that? Won't that make the reality to come even crueler?
...But they're so small, so young. Can't even be five years old, he thinks. What good would the truth do them when they're still learning how to process that sort of thing?
Hinata kneels down beside the pile of Helena and Natsume and child. He doesn't have any younger siblings, no real experience with children at all. But he has the memories of another life with the girl whose name he finally remembers, and perhaps that's something that he can draw from after all.
His hand stretches out - hesitates for just a moment like he might pull back. But then he finishes the movement, gently reaching out to lay a hand on their head. Slowly, carefully, he lets his fingers card through their hair. He doesn't know if unfamiliar touch would be bad for them, but he remembers how it made that precious person smile, and so Hinata will hope that it will at least not cause harm if nothing else.]
I'm sorry. I know it hurts right now. But we're here for you.
[It's the one truth that he can offer them, even if they won't be able to accept it right now.]