[ It's Hadrian. It's Hadrian, it's all he can think. He can't move. His feet won't let him move because he never expected to see his partner, see the only person he could ever really call family, twisted and melted all together like this, in pain and shrieking it out at him. Royce can't move because it's almost like he feels like it's right. Like this should happen.
And of course, it doesn't. Because Tifa won't let it.
He's always known she's strong. Strong enough to practically toss him out of the way, to get him out of the path. But he knows in the split second it takes for her to move him, he knows in this sickening, dreadful way that the sword meant for him is going to slide right through her. And it does. It does, he watches it happen, and as she drops, Royce bellows, roars like he never has before: ] TIFA --
[ She drops, and Royce moves, immediately. He doesn't have time to think now, all that matters is picking her up and getting her safe. He leaps to her side and picks her up, scoops easily from the adrenaline, and runs, races to the closest house he can find. Doesn't matter how far, just as long as he gets there. The monster (not Hadrian, not Hadrian) screeches behind him and makes to follow, but it's distracted by the blood. Just enough for Royce to slam the metal door behind him, lock it and drop to the floor, holding Tifa up.
Not-Hadrian screams, bangs heavily at the door, but it doesn't budge. Royce ignores it, trying to get into his pack, assess the damage, he can - he can fix this, he can, it's okay. ]
Hey. Hey, look at me. You're okay. Tifa, look at me. [ Royce says hoarsely, trying not to shake her too badly. ]
no subject
And of course, it doesn't. Because Tifa won't let it.
He's always known she's strong. Strong enough to practically toss him out of the way, to get him out of the path. But he knows in the split second it takes for her to move him, he knows in this sickening, dreadful way that the sword meant for him is going to slide right through her. And it does. It does, he watches it happen, and as she drops, Royce bellows, roars like he never has before: ] TIFA --
[ She drops, and Royce moves, immediately. He doesn't have time to think now, all that matters is picking her up and getting her safe. He leaps to her side and picks her up, scoops easily from the adrenaline, and runs, races to the closest house he can find. Doesn't matter how far, just as long as he gets there. The monster (not Hadrian, not Hadrian) screeches behind him and makes to follow, but it's distracted by the blood. Just enough for Royce to slam the metal door behind him, lock it and drop to the floor, holding Tifa up.
Not-Hadrian screams, bangs heavily at the door, but it doesn't budge. Royce ignores it, trying to get into his pack, assess the damage, he can - he can fix this, he can, it's okay. ]
Hey. Hey, look at me. You're okay. Tifa, look at me. [ Royce says hoarsely, trying not to shake her too badly. ]