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Kindness cannot be perceived in only a black and white view. It cannot be contained into a specific box. For kindness is subjective, depending on the person and moment.
Say there is a wounded animal who is slowly dying, but any sign of help is nowhere in sight. What do you do? Some decide to kill the animal, while others try to sustain its life. While the former can be perceived as cruel, would it not be better for the animal? The latter would only prolong the inevitable.
“Living things are fragile” Jegudiel attempts to explain one day.
Though, Leviathan is barely listening, because Jegudiel is looking at them as if they do not have the blood of countless creatures on their hands, names long forgotten in time. Leviathan cannot fathom why.
As if sensing the Envy Sin’s thoughts, Jegudiel’s expression softens further. For a split second, Leviathan wonders how that’s possible. But the thought is quickly thrown away, because why wouldn’t Jegudiel, the Virtue of Kindness, of all people be able to look so… loving?
Jegudiel is saying something, but Leviathan cannot hear the words over the ring in their own ears.
Love?
Yes, that is what they had felt for him all those centuries ago.
There had been a time where Leviathan hopelessly thought that the man may have returned their affections. But such thoughts were all for not.
In the end, Jegudiel had drowned them both literally and figuratively.
Perhaps he thought it to be putting them out of their misery? But Leviathan had not been miserable during their short time on the battlefield. In-fact, they would even go as far to say that was the only time they truly felt… alive. Lucifer had once commented on their way of thinking.
“Alive? And what, per se, would give you that notion? What heart do we have that is beating? Your way of thinking is far too naive at times, Envy.”
With a start, Leviathan realizes that they could never be alive, as living things are fragile, and fragility implies weakness. They and the rest of The Sins are far from weak.
“Leviathan!”
Ah, yes, they were talking to Jegudiel, were they not? Their eyes scan him, intent on storing his image to memory. Though, the Virtue seems undisturbed by this, preferring to give Leviathan a once over to deem them alright.
“You worried me, darling”
Darling
Leviathan wonders how Jegudiel can call them such sweet names, and touch them so gently, as if they are not mortal enemies? Ah, but they don’t have time to wonder any longer, because Jegudiel is scolding them for frightening him.
It is in that moment, Leviathan realizes, that they are weak around this Virtue, but they cannot bring themselves to care, for it is Jegudiel that makes them feel alive all the same.