[ Out of everyone here, King was one of very few people he'd ever allowed to see him cry, pushed to the breaking point through the events of this game and the painful losses he tried so hard to endure on his own. So if anyone can look at him and is able to tell that he's just barely able to push the majority of his conflicting emotions under the surface, it's definitely King.

So, as he was pulled into that hug? Maybe... just maybe the other who he considered a father figure, would hear a soft, shuddering inhale. The sound of someone trying SO damned hard not to break apart, even as he hugged King back. ]

I won't. I'm... going to pull out all the damn stops and give it everything i've got.

[ Shit. He was tearing up now, both frustrated and upset that things had to be this way. There was no way in hell he was going to admit that maybe a small part of him was almost afraid, knowing what was to come. ]

They're gonna have a hell of a time trying to kill me.