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[Kinich really isn't looking forward to this call, but he does have to write an incident report for the higher ups. Putting himself in a father's shoes, he knows he'd much rather find out from someone he knows cares about his son rather than through a report. So... Kinich makes the call that evening.]

Buenas noches, Nephrite. If you have a moment, I need to talk to you about something regarding your son. I'm afraid it's important enough that I would rather you hear it from me.

[Getting a call like that from Kinich has all the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. There's no laughter in his tone now, and perhaps just a trace of alarm.]

...What happened? ['Is he all right?' he almost asks, and doesn't, because the first question is enough to get that answer too.]

[At least he expects that answer and he's able to react calmly.]

He's fine, don't worry. He got a bit lost in the Labyrinth trying to find Luke, who had been equally lost.

[Kinich sighs softly.]

No, it is about his conduct, I'm sorry to say.

In his hurry to locate Luke, he left behind a defenseless civilian who tried to go with him. She couldn't keep up, and he didn't notice her absence. Luckily, we found her unharmed, and I did reprimand Asch myself after making sure she was safe. I did not sugarcoat my words, either. ... I wanted to let you know myself before submitting the incident report to HQ. I'm afraid this is one of those things that I cannot keep my silence.

[It's clear that he takes no pleasure in saying this whatsoever.]

[Oh, wonderful. At least he's not hurt, but... That boy. Has Nephrite been too lenient with him? He's always been afraid of giving Asch too much discipline, both because he didn't want to subconsciously push him to become the young man Nephrite remembers from their past life, and because he doesn't want to be like the person who turned him into who he became back then. He may have gone too far in the other direction, though.]

...I see. I'm sure it's nothing I wouldn't have done myself if I'd been there. Thank you for letting me know.

[He sighs. Kinich is one of the only people he can talk to about this sort of thing anyway, so...]

I'm glad the civilian wasn't harmed. And if the consequences of your report can teach him to stop losing control of his emotions when his brother is involved, then so much the better.

[That makes Kinich relax a little. Family of this degree in The Order can be a bit touchy. He has to toe the line of overstepping into parent territory and being a senior Guardian to Asch.]

You're welcome, of course.

[It's a trust that he's careful to maintain. Tacit understanding is worth its weight in gold for people who don't bother to explain themselves in words.]

That's my hope.

[A beat. Kinich will never say that he's good at being a person to go to when there are emotional problems. He's far better at giving practical advice or anything involving deals. However, he decides that the years of knowing each other and working together deserves something.]

Forgive me if it's not my place, but you did the best you could with the resources you had, Nephrite. The Order back then wasn't known for being supportive of parents, especially single parents. You had a lot on your plate, some of which I still don't know about I'm sure, yet you still gave Asch as much of a childhood as you could give him under the circumstances.

Every parent will make mistakes in raising their kid, you're only human, but the ones made here are not sins on your soul. The foundation you gave him is one he needs to grow into on his own. As it stands now, Asch can only learn by facing what his actions cause. He's a young adult who will still need you to be his father, not his superior, and I for one still feel that you're suited to this role.

...Oh, my. Is it that obvious?

[Now a little of his usual cheer returns, but softly. Vulnerability is hard, but it's hard for both of them, and Kinich is making that effort.]

I'm...glad to have your confidence. Truth be told, I've never felt I was truly suited to the role, but... [Another slight sigh, a shrug that Kinich can't see] ...He chose me.

[There's a helplessness in that, and a faint wonder.]

What a foolish thing to have done.

Only to those who bother to pay attention.

[And Kinich does, for better or worse. It's what makes him good at his job.

Vulnerability is difficult, but maybe it's because Nephrite also struggles with this that it gives Kinich enough confidence to try.

Yet it's not enough confidence to fully open up. He's experienced firsthand a person who should've never been a husband, let alone a father. Over the years, Nephrite has never shown himself to be a bad parent. One with flaws and traumas that went unaddressed, but never anything intentionally inflicted upon Asch. And Asch never had to fear so much as a hand being raised against him.

But Kinich keeps that locked away in his heart. Nobody needs to know about that.]

He chose you, and I see no reason for him to have regretted that, either. Perhaps you both needed a bit of foolishness in your lives.

[A quiet huff of laughter.] Maybe so...

Well, that's something we've both found, this latest incident very much included. I'll talk to him about it, including the extra burden of paperwork you've had to take on due to his negligence.

[Kinich smiles a little, though nobody can see it.]

Very well. I expect he won't like that I did this, but it's nothing I can't handle.

[Berserker and Junjaw are worse than whatever Asch can dish out to him, quite frankly. And only one of those two are still alive to punish him for having the audacity to continue living.]

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Gemini Voice | UN: Malipo; during the Labyrinth event

voice | un: thenecromancer

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TW: some brief mentions of past child abuse

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