[ He doesn't argue that he's fine, although that's as automatic a reaction for him as apologizing. They might even see him physically bite it back before it escapes off the tip of his tongue.
His fingers tighten around Hilda's, clinging to her when she tangles their fingers together, not letting her go. His other hand is still fisted in Claude's shirt but as he hasn't pulled away, Sylvain's going to use that as an excuse to keep using it to brace himself. Ground himself.
He's still struggling to breathe in anything resembling a calm, normal pattern, but it still sounds a little too loud, too fast, and too ragged - at least in his own ears. He swallows thickly, throat sore and raw, even though he's only spoken a single word. ]
I will be fine.
[ He's not sure if he says that to convince them or himself. He's not sure it's enough to work, either way. ]
I know it's not real. It just... caught me by surprise. I'd forgotten...
[ He trails off, shaking his head as he closes his eyes for a moment again, a shudder sliding visibly down his spine. He takes a deep breath. Then another. Hoping he's steady enough on his feet, he steps back, takes space. Stays upright, that's a win, right?
A glare is shot upwards at the scattering flock of birds before he turns and goes back to purposefully ignoring them. Trying to focus on the now. On what they still need to do.
Without another word, he bends to start digging out the crystals once more. ]
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His fingers tighten around Hilda's, clinging to her when she tangles their fingers together, not letting her go. His other hand is still fisted in Claude's shirt but as he hasn't pulled away, Sylvain's going to use that as an excuse to keep using it to brace himself. Ground himself.
He's still struggling to breathe in anything resembling a calm, normal pattern, but it still sounds a little too loud, too fast, and too ragged - at least in his own ears. He swallows thickly, throat sore and raw, even though he's only spoken a single word. ]
I will be fine.
[ He's not sure if he says that to convince them or himself. He's not sure it's enough to work, either way. ]
I know it's not real. It just... caught me by surprise. I'd forgotten...
[ He trails off, shaking his head as he closes his eyes for a moment again, a shudder sliding visibly down his spine. He takes a deep breath. Then another. Hoping he's steady enough on his feet, he steps back, takes space. Stays upright, that's a win, right?
A glare is shot upwards at the scattering flock of birds before he turns and goes back to purposefully ignoring them. Trying to focus on the now. On what they still need to do.
Without another word, he bends to start digging out the crystals once more. ]