[Kaz is still coughing, trying to get the stuff up and out. He hears Nyx's concern before he sees him there, the shadow that looms over him, and when he leans in, Kaz, almost predictably, swats his knee and then points up the stairs.]
Up there.
[He points up the stairs to where Venom and Dorian are. Nyx is in one piece, he's not wounded as Venom and Kaz are, and Dorian in considerably worse shape than Kaz from the sound of it.]
I can wait. Mission first. [He says carefully, firmly, and in broken breath with the most commanderly tone he can manage under the circumstances. Nyx might feel guilt, but Kaz isn't the one they came to help. Kaz isn't the one with a dangerous shadow. And they need to be able to get Dorian out here quickly if the sacrifice isn't immediately working, if it's not enough. And the guilt that Dorian would feel if that thing kept at it would be overwhelming. He can't put him through that.]
[Miller is very used to the feeling, the weight of mistakes. It practically makes half of what he is, now. He feels it every single day. So he's twice as firm; this isn't the time for it. Then he gives him a look. Do as he says.]
no subject
Up there.
[He points up the stairs to where Venom and Dorian are. Nyx is in one piece, he's not wounded as Venom and Kaz are, and Dorian in considerably worse shape than Kaz from the sound of it.]
I can wait. Mission first. [He says carefully, firmly, and in broken breath with the most commanderly tone he can manage under the circumstances. Nyx might feel guilt, but Kaz isn't the one they came to help. Kaz isn't the one with a dangerous shadow. And they need to be able to get Dorian out here quickly if the sacrifice isn't immediately working, if it's not enough. And the guilt that Dorian would feel if that thing kept at it would be overwhelming. He can't put him through that.]
[Miller is very used to the feeling, the weight of mistakes. It practically makes half of what he is, now. He feels it every single day. So he's twice as firm; this isn't the time for it. Then he gives him a look. Do as he says.]
[He'll give him real reassurances later.]