[It had been Tristan's suggestion. He'd look after Ariel. He'd meant it, because despite everything he did love his brother. He shouldn't, he knew Ariel was incapable of returning it, but he did all the same. And though two years has helped him start to function a little more confidently--and the return of his magic has boosted that considerably--when they brought his brother in he realized he might have been mistaken in his ability to handle this.]
[Visiting in the safety of a prison with guards and watchers and space between them was a lot different than realizing he'll be living with Ariel again. Really living with him.]
[He reminds himself that he has the power now and Ariel can't do anything, he's broken and insane and powerless--but Tristan, better than anyone, knows that even now his brother is intelligent and stubborn. Assuming he's harmless would be wrong. Less able to wreak havoc, maybe, but Ariel is never harmless.]
[He wishes Ariel could just... Be normal. Feel the things normal people feel. And he frets in the kitchen with hot cocoa for the hours before Ariel's crashing signals the drugs have worn off. A few deep breaths and he heads upstairs to open the door and make sure his brother hasn't managed to injure himself.]
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[Visiting in the safety of a prison with guards and watchers and space between them was a lot different than realizing he'll be living with Ariel again. Really living with him.]
[He reminds himself that he has the power now and Ariel can't do anything, he's broken and insane and powerless--but Tristan, better than anyone, knows that even now his brother is intelligent and stubborn. Assuming he's harmless would be wrong. Less able to wreak havoc, maybe, but Ariel is never harmless.]
[He wishes Ariel could just... Be normal. Feel the things normal people feel. And he frets in the kitchen with hot cocoa for the hours before Ariel's crashing signals the drugs have worn off. A few deep breaths and he heads upstairs to open the door and make sure his brother hasn't managed to injure himself.]