[He'd been petting Eavan, keeping her calm while she got used to the bridle, when Ben began to speak, but when the topic of lying (by omission or otherwise) comes up, Kieran stopped what he was doing and turned around to face his friend. Whatever story was going to follow deserved his full attention and the respect of showing he was giving that attention.]
[As Ben continues, Kieran stays still outside of casually leaning against Eavan. It's a dual purpose gesture: he wants Ben to know that he's just as relaxed around him as before these truths came to light and he wants to make sure his mare continues to get that friendly physical contact that's crucial towards building a strong bond. He nods every now and then to show understanding, but is otherwise silent. He can't stop his brow from furrowing at the mention of surprise pregnancies, squid tentacles, and stomach doorways, but at this point, there's no brand of crazy he's not willing to acknowledge. Not when he's seen so many fantastical powers popping out of the woodwork.]
[There's a long, pregnant pause after Ben's finished. Then, Kieran responds.]
Well... I can't say anythin' about the other stuff, but, uh, if there's one thing you don't gotta worry about, it's whether or not I like ya. As far as I'm concerned, you ain't a liar.
[The secrets Ben kept are heavy, sure, and they're something out of a horror story that someone would tell around a campfire, but they're not enough to make Kieran detest him in the slightest.]
Th-There's a special kinda honesty that can't be faked, and that's the honesty of a good person trying to do the right thing. That's all I've seen you do, and that's all I know you've done. All that other stuff is part of you too, sure, b-but it ain't all of you.
[He offers a reassuring grin and a pat on Ben's shoulder.]
no subject
[As Ben continues, Kieran stays still outside of casually leaning against Eavan. It's a dual purpose gesture: he wants Ben to know that he's just as relaxed around him as before these truths came to light and he wants to make sure his mare continues to get that friendly physical contact that's crucial towards building a strong bond. He nods every now and then to show understanding, but is otherwise silent. He can't stop his brow from furrowing at the mention of surprise pregnancies, squid tentacles, and stomach doorways, but at this point, there's no brand of crazy he's not willing to acknowledge. Not when he's seen so many fantastical powers popping out of the woodwork.]
[There's a long, pregnant pause after Ben's finished. Then, Kieran responds.]
Well... I can't say anythin' about the other stuff, but, uh, if there's one thing you don't gotta worry about, it's whether or not I like ya. As far as I'm concerned, you ain't a liar.
[The secrets Ben kept are heavy, sure, and they're something out of a horror story that someone would tell around a campfire, but they're not enough to make Kieran detest him in the slightest.]
Th-There's a special kinda honesty that can't be faked, and that's the honesty of a good person trying to do the right thing. That's all I've seen you do, and that's all I know you've done. All that other stuff is part of you too, sure, b-but it ain't all of you.
[He offers a reassuring grin and a pat on Ben's shoulder.]
Thanks fer tellin' me. I know it ain't easy.
...
Also, yer dad sounds like an asshole.