[He can feel the tension in her. Guzma doesn't have to see the child's face to know that she's shaking, that she's crying - the hand on her head is enough for him to feel the distress pulsing through her like waves. He hates it, really hates it, but he believes he's prepared when he looks at her again, to try and offer something to appease Luna's troubled mind, and bring her a bit of peace in this moment. A crude remark, a snort, anything at all. He's fine. It's fine. He's got this...he's the Bid Bad Boss of Team Skull, he--
...He is woefully unprepared to see Luna cry.
Immediately, something in Guzma's stomach lurches forward, cold and painful - like claws digging their way through his gut, attempting to grasp at his heart. It feels like a punch in the face, and he freezes for half a second, wants to recoil so as not to add anymore to her pain, but he's still and stiff, eyes wide and just...stunned. Why is she crying? She never seemed the type to cry - the kid was so strong and so brave, it felt like she could do anything. In his eyes, she was fearless - something he made himself out to be, and was beaten down by his own stupid choices and his foolishness. She always seemed better than him, at everything.
But she's a kid. She's always been a kid. She's not fearless, she's not indestructible, she's human. Luna is human, just like he is, and Guzma grinds his teeth behind pursed lips, hating himself all the more for making her worry about a big idiot like him. He really doesn't deserve it - or maybe he does. Because he feels like trash, and tugs her to his side whether she likes it or not. He's got the strength to do it.]
Hey now...none'a that. [Guzma holds her at his side, reaching over the girl's shoulder to pinch her nose gently with a soft, tired sounding sigh.] Go ahead, sweetheart, ain't no one here but me.
[And Guzma is the last person to judge anyone for being a so-called baby. Not after his episode just a second ago, and not...anymore. He's done thinking Luna's anything more than he is. She's a human like him, and a right to behave like one. Go ahead, kiddo, nothing's gonna hurt you while he's around. Your boy's packing TM17.
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...He is woefully unprepared to see Luna cry.
Immediately, something in Guzma's stomach lurches forward, cold and painful - like claws digging their way through his gut, attempting to grasp at his heart. It feels like a punch in the face, and he freezes for half a second, wants to recoil so as not to add anymore to her pain, but he's still and stiff, eyes wide and just...stunned. Why is she crying? She never seemed the type to cry - the kid was so strong and so brave, it felt like she could do anything. In his eyes, she was fearless - something he made himself out to be, and was beaten down by his own stupid choices and his foolishness. She always seemed better than him, at everything.
But she's a kid. She's always been a kid. She's not fearless, she's not indestructible, she's human. Luna is human, just like he is, and Guzma grinds his teeth behind pursed lips, hating himself all the more for making her worry about a big idiot like him. He really doesn't deserve it - or maybe he does. Because he feels like trash, and tugs her to his side whether she likes it or not. He's got the strength to do it.]
Hey now...none'a that. [Guzma holds her at his side, reaching over the girl's shoulder to pinch her nose gently with a soft, tired sounding sigh.] Go ahead, sweetheart, ain't no one here but me.
[And Guzma is the last person to judge anyone for being a so-called baby. Not after his episode just a second ago, and not...anymore. He's done thinking Luna's anything more than he is. She's a human like him, and a right to behave like one. Go ahead, kiddo, nothing's gonna hurt you while he's around. Your boy's packing TM17.
Protect.]