It's easier to pay attention to other people, it's what he's always done. Easier to take care of others than to take care of himself, because they deserve it more than he does. So even with the ache of the words that he knows - that he still hates to hear - he tells Sanji something simple:]
You know how sometimes you don't listen to me even when I'm being truthful, even when we made a deal - I need you to cut that shit out.
Because I'm starting to run out of people who'll listen to me, and I can't afford to lose you too.
[ - "You're not going to lose me."
If that sort of thing matters.
The trees seem to pick up on it as they snicker.]
There's the self-important grandstanding. Act like you have all the answers, make people rely on you, and maybe they'll ignore how desperate you are not to be left alone.
Why do you keep reaching for what you know you don't deserve?
[Even though he expects it, Baren's brow furrows in response to the taunts, his expression twisting for just a second into something that looks - younger, more lost.
His fingers press into his palm, a poor substitute when he only wants to look for a hand to hold.]
WE'RE ONLY GOING TO GET RUDER FROM HERE
It's easier to pay attention to other people, it's what he's always done. Easier to take care of others than to take care of himself, because they deserve it more than he does. So even with the ache of the words that he knows - that he still hates to hear - he tells Sanji something simple:]
You know how sometimes you don't listen to me even when I'm being truthful, even when we made a deal - I need you to cut that shit out.
Because I'm starting to run out of people who'll listen to me, and I can't afford to lose you too.
[ - "You're not going to lose me."
If that sort of thing matters.
The trees seem to pick up on it as they snicker.]
There's the self-important grandstanding. Act like you have all the answers, make people rely on you, and maybe they'll ignore how desperate you are not to be left alone.
Why do you keep reaching for what you know you don't deserve?
[Even though he expects it, Baren's brow furrows in response to the taunts, his expression twisting for just a second into something that looks - younger, more lost.
His fingers press into his palm, a poor substitute when he only wants to look for a hand to hold.]