He'd never held her like this before - he remembers that, remembers this being the first time he ever held and comforted her, the first time he actively wanted to. And he lets one hand find her back, the other petting her hair, mindful of the bandages.
He mimics the way their mother rocked them in her lap after a nightmare.
"Dad's still here," he said quietly, rocking her gently, his rhythm off without experience. "And when he's gone... when he's gone, I'll do it. I'll keep you safe."
Such a heavy promise for a little boy. If he'd known what work it would turn out to be...
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He mimics the way their mother rocked them in her lap after a nightmare.
"Dad's still here," he said quietly, rocking her gently, his rhythm off without experience. "And when he's gone... when he's gone, I'll do it. I'll keep you safe."
Such a heavy promise for a little boy. If he'd known what work it would turn out to be...