[ There's nothing in response to the name, to his own name, even. Peter just stares up at the older man, entirely anesthetised from recognition or emotion for those long moments, and it isn't until Will moves closer, utters those words β 'You're safe' .... that something happens.
Something flashes across his dark eyes, black and inky, slips into place like the click of a film reel. It's a layered awareness, first something else, but then Peter. And once it's Peter, his mouth parts with a loud gasp, one that sounds like he's taking a needed breath after being trapped underwater, lungs at their limits. It's painful in his chest, that gasp; he's struggling through something. ]
Willβ
[ His tight grip on his cousin's wrist relinquishes immediately, loosening from him, but it's just as immediately replaced with his other hand moving to catch hold of the front of Will's clothing. Not aggressive now, but clinging childlike, fingers tangling into the material, fretfully curling and uncurling. His words break through more gasps, quicker ones inbetween the rise and fall of his chest. ]
What... Whereβ am Iβ? [ He's freed from the oppression of the nightmare and theβ thing, and panic and upset are swelling in like a floodgate in place of them. It's cold, windy, night, and he's up here on deck, he realises that as he looks quickly around, absorbing these details but not understanding them. Peter's grown... accustomed to his odd spells, to the fact the wanders and gets lost; he even anticipates that happening now, but..... in moments like these, his youth and weakness truly presents itself. Perhaps it's the presence of Will there that allows him to become childlike, whereas he might usually have to handle this on his own. He's been doing that up until now, obstinately trying to keep this to himself, whatever it truly is.
The fact Will's here now... unlocks something in him, something small and very willing to sink into weakness, needing to. They aren't particularly close, but Will's still family... still a familiar face in a sea of unfamiliar ones. The wet glaze that swells in the boy's eyes now is already starting to escape down his cheeks β a shameful, embarrassing thing usually, emotion is meant to be kept within, but in the moment it's too much. His other hand reaches to join the other, clasping against his cousin's clothing. Hanging on as though afraid to lose him if he lets go. ]
no subject
Something flashes across his dark eyes, black and inky, slips into place like the click of a film reel. It's a layered awareness, first something else, but then Peter. And once it's Peter, his mouth parts with a loud gasp, one that sounds like he's taking a needed breath after being trapped underwater, lungs at their limits. It's painful in his chest, that gasp; he's struggling through something. ]
Willβ
[ His tight grip on his cousin's wrist relinquishes immediately, loosening from him, but it's just as immediately replaced with his other hand moving to catch hold of the front of Will's clothing. Not aggressive now, but clinging childlike, fingers tangling into the material, fretfully curling and uncurling. His words break through more gasps, quicker ones inbetween the rise and fall of his chest. ]
What... Whereβ am Iβ? [ He's freed from the oppression of the nightmare and theβ thing, and panic and upset are swelling in like a floodgate in place of them. It's cold, windy, night, and he's up here on deck, he realises that as he looks quickly around, absorbing these details but not understanding them. Peter's grown... accustomed to his odd spells, to the fact the wanders and gets lost; he even anticipates that happening now, but..... in moments like these, his youth and weakness truly presents itself. Perhaps it's the presence of Will there that allows him to become childlike, whereas he might usually have to handle this on his own. He's been doing that up until now, obstinately trying to keep this to himself, whatever it truly is.
The fact Will's here now... unlocks something in him, something small and very willing to sink into weakness, needing to. They aren't particularly close, but Will's still family... still a familiar face in a sea of unfamiliar ones. The wet glaze that swells in the boy's eyes now is already starting to escape down his cheeks β a shameful, embarrassing thing usually, emotion is meant to be kept within, but in the moment it's too much. His other hand reaches to join the other, clasping against his cousin's clothing. Hanging on as though afraid to lose him if he lets go. ]
What's happening, Will?