[ Heron's first instinct is to say yes, please, it hurts - of course he'll accept help. He should, he needs it, turning it away would be foolish.
But - and the anxieties latch on, shaking through him as the words stall in his throat, but. That's a Blessing that Phoenix is asking if he can use on him. It was a Blessing that caused Phoenix distress beyond the normal, that went so haywire he was on the edge of a panic attack. It's his own Blessing, now, that isn't working as it should, that is diverting and absorbing the pain pain pain and anxiety and wrongness and making him bleed instead of shutting everything off, a sponge instead of a blanket. What if... what if by accepting Phoenix's help, he makes things worse for them again? He can't risk it.
And, sure, he could explain that to Phoenix as a basis for refusal. He might accept it. The thing is, he might also not - he can see the worry, the urge to help others, the impulse that has Phoenix's hand glowing already even if he paused to ask first. He's practically using it already, he might just decide he doesn't care about the risk in the face of Heron's obvious distress.
So. Game plan. He'll admit his concerns, sure, but he needs extra. He can do extra. It's fine. It's just pain and blood and - and focus.
He coughs thickly, wetly, then smiles, shaky and tasting the blood in his teeth. Shakes his head. ]
No, I - I'm not okay, but it's not as bad as it looks. This just happens when I push myself, but I promise, it - [ pauses, spits blood like he's used to it, wipes his face. keeps smiling. ] - it always looks way gnarly but it'll be fine once I sleep it off. It is a bit more - goretastic than usual? But I think that's because our Blessings are being messed with when we use them. Which is another reason you shouldn't. Please.
Re: DISCUSSION
But - and the anxieties latch on, shaking through him as the words stall in his throat, but. That's a Blessing that Phoenix is asking if he can use on him. It was a Blessing that caused Phoenix distress beyond the normal, that went so haywire he was on the edge of a panic attack. It's his own Blessing, now, that isn't working as it should, that is diverting and absorbing the pain pain pain and anxiety and wrongness and making him bleed instead of shutting everything off, a sponge instead of a blanket. What if... what if by accepting Phoenix's help, he makes things worse for them again? He can't risk it.
And, sure, he could explain that to Phoenix as a basis for refusal. He might accept it. The thing is, he might also not - he can see the worry, the urge to help others, the impulse that has Phoenix's hand glowing already even if he paused to ask first. He's practically using it already, he might just decide he doesn't care about the risk in the face of Heron's obvious distress.
So. Game plan. He'll admit his concerns, sure, but he needs extra. He can do extra. It's fine. It's just pain and blood and - and focus.
He coughs thickly, wetly, then smiles, shaky and tasting the blood in his teeth. Shakes his head. ]
No, I - I'm not okay, but it's not as bad as it looks. This just happens when I push myself, but I promise, it - [ pauses, spits blood like he's used to it, wipes his face. keeps smiling. ] - it always looks way gnarly but it'll be fine once I sleep it off. It is a bit more - goretastic than usual? But I think that's because our Blessings are being messed with when we use them. Which is another reason you shouldn't. Please.