[ In a way, that surely must be the main purpose of a chain of command such as theirs; to provide assistance, support, and unquestionable accord, or even to compensate for another's weaknesses without undermining the spirit of their authority.
At the very least, it's always been Irving's understanding of both rank and duty that his priorities should not so much lie in taking new initiatives himself, but to uphold the word and decisions of his superiorsโ to be their strength, as it were, as even the very best of commands are only ever as strong as their weakest links.
Not that Irving considers Little to be a weak link whatsoever โ not in general, and moreover, not as a lieutenant โ however much it's become increasingly clear that Little views himself in an altogether less generous light. Irving can certainly relate, of course, as a man who quite often falls short of meeting his own all-too-high expectations for himself (a known symptom, rather than a side effect, to evangelical leanings such as his), but it's loyalty and respect which guide him now, more so than pure rank-and-file duty alone.
That, as well as his own steadfast determination against giving into the easy chaos of depression and despair.
He rests a hand upon Little's shoulder briefly, if not also bit awkwardly (physical affection is hardly his strength, after all), before noting with relief that his words seem to have stirred some sense of life back into the former 1st Lieutenantโ enough that Irving can leave him alone for the duration of time it takes to put a kettle on the stove to boil, anyway. ]
No need to thank me, [ he comments upon returning, taking a seat before the fire's growing warmth. ] After all, it's only tea.
[ If Irving were more the touchy-feely sort then he'd likely rest his hand upon Little's shoulder again now, or maybe pat his knee or take his hand, but as it is, he just remains as stiffly self-contained as ever, unsure of how exactly to approach comforting his... associate, his friend?, about something it may not even be his place to question in the first place. ]
Perhaps you might unburden yourself of what's troubling you soโ i-if you like, that is.
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At the very least, it's always been Irving's understanding of both rank and duty that his priorities should not so much lie in taking new initiatives himself, but to uphold the word and decisions of his superiorsโ to be their strength, as it were, as even the very best of commands are only ever as strong as their weakest links.
Not that Irving considers Little to be a weak link whatsoever โ not in general, and moreover, not as a lieutenant โ however much it's become increasingly clear that Little views himself in an altogether less generous light. Irving can certainly relate, of course, as a man who quite often falls short of meeting his own all-too-high expectations for himself (a known symptom, rather than a side effect, to evangelical leanings such as his), but it's loyalty and respect which guide him now, more so than pure rank-and-file duty alone.
That, as well as his own steadfast determination against giving into the easy chaos of depression and despair.
He rests a hand upon Little's shoulder briefly, if not also bit awkwardly (physical affection is hardly his strength, after all), before noting with relief that his words seem to have stirred some sense of life back into the former 1st Lieutenantโ enough that Irving can leave him alone for the duration of time it takes to put a kettle on the stove to boil, anyway. ]
No need to thank me, [ he comments upon returning, taking a seat before the fire's growing warmth. ] After all, it's only tea.
[ If Irving were more the touchy-feely sort then he'd likely rest his hand upon Little's shoulder again now, or maybe pat his knee or take his hand, but as it is, he just remains as stiffly self-contained as ever, unsure of how exactly to approach comforting his... associate, his friend?, about something it may not even be his place to question in the first place. ]
Perhaps you might unburden yourself of what's troubling you soโ i-if you like, that is.