[Dorothea's never really had the chance to really talk with Neo for an extended amount of time. He truly is different from Sonny; that blue blur wears his heart on his sleeve and tries to hide some emotions much like she does. It's familiar. Neo's a lot more like Hubie than she could have thought; there's an intensity to his emotions that she can see as she watches him, watching him ball those fists. He absolutely must be spiraling too, and it hits that Sonny and he have some similarities after all. They both internalize, in different ways.
They're both willing to destroy themselves for the people they love, and it's...]
It really isn't any trouble, you know. I'd gladly do it for him; Sonny's a very dear friend, and I wanted nothing more than to make sure he's okay. It's what I'd do for anyone dear to me.
[Dorothea's smile is soft, but there's a tinge of sadness there as she listens to Neo. This poor boy...]
Hey, hey. Don't blame yourself for this either, okay? [It's remarkably gentle, but Dorothea manages a certain firmness with it too.] You did what you thought you had to in that situation. You wanted to keep Sonny safe, and you succeeded in that. It might not have been the best way to go about it, but when you're in a rough situation like that, you have to act before it's too late. It's the same as any battle...
...Though I imagine it's of little comfort for you to hear, with everything considered. [Dorothea pauses, briefly, her tone soft still.] ...I've had to watch one of you beat yourself up for a whole week over this--I'm not letting you do the same. Neither of you are at fault for this. Beating yourself up like this...is it going to help anyone?
Be kind to yourself, dear. You're alive, and he's going to be so relieved to see you once he wakes up.
[...]
Neo...if it isn't too uncomfortable for you, would you mind if I gave you a hug? [Dorothea tilts her head a bit, gently smiling.] You seem like you could use one, sweetie.
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They're both willing to destroy themselves for the people they love, and it's...]
It really isn't any trouble, you know. I'd gladly do it for him; Sonny's a very dear friend, and I wanted nothing more than to make sure he's okay. It's what I'd do for anyone dear to me.
[Dorothea's smile is soft, but there's a tinge of sadness there as she listens to Neo. This poor boy...]
Hey, hey. Don't blame yourself for this either, okay? [It's remarkably gentle, but Dorothea manages a certain firmness with it too.] You did what you thought you had to in that situation. You wanted to keep Sonny safe, and you succeeded in that. It might not have been the best way to go about it, but when you're in a rough situation like that, you have to act before it's too late. It's the same as any battle...
...Though I imagine it's of little comfort for you to hear, with everything considered. [Dorothea pauses, briefly, her tone soft still.] ...I've had to watch one of you beat yourself up for a whole week over this--I'm not letting you do the same. Neither of you are at fault for this. Beating yourself up like this...is it going to help anyone?
Be kind to yourself, dear. You're alive, and he's going to be so relieved to see you once he wakes up.
[...]
Neo...if it isn't too uncomfortable for you, would you mind if I gave you a hug? [Dorothea tilts her head a bit, gently smiling.] You seem like you could use one, sweetie.