[It's his turn to listen, now—and something in his face shifts as Ion talks. The confusion, at least, seems to clear a little, and Luke finds himself nodding along as he speaks. When Ion finishes, Luke is on his feet, ditching the quill on the table, and taking both of his partner's hands.]
That's it! That's exactly it, Ion!
[He still looks exhausted, but now, genuinely relieved—as if he's just come out the other end of a long tunnel—and smiles wryly]
I... lost my temper today, big time, when he finally confessed. I know you saw it. But what really made me stop was when Ishikirimaru mentioned... the cycle. Keeping it going. Killing a person because they killed a person. It reminded me of... how I wouldn't be alive, if everyone thought like that. If no one had given me a second chance after Akzeriuth...
[How easy it was to imagine, even now—being left on that sinking island in the sea of miasma, suffering the same fate as the last child. His life, rightfully snuffed by Asch, as he slept unconscious in Yulia City. Attacked and killed on any road, revenge for family lost. And he would have deserved it, regardless of what the Score foretold. He would have more than deserved it.]
...I'm angry. I feel betrayed, just like I did with Guy. But I...
[...]
I think I understand why he made that choice. And I think I want to go and see him tomorrow. I can't keep moving forward if I don't... move, I guess. Right?
[He exhales, a long, low breath—and leans down, pressing his forehead to Ion's.]
[Regardless of the situation, Luke's exuberance, as always, is contagious, and Ion can't help but smile as he stands, too. It's refreshing to hear him go through his thoughts and feelings, to be able to piece everything together that he couldn't quite place, before.]
I'm glad I could help.
[It's tempting to close his eyes, to let himself savor just the closeness and the warmth of their connection. But Ion doesn't want to miss even a moment, so his big eyes crinkle.]
[He'd really lost it pretty hard—but he'd dropped his damn sword. He wondered if he'd even been serious about it, or if it had just been an empty action, the formation of his despair made flesh and little more.]
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no subject
That's it! That's exactly it, Ion!
[He still looks exhausted, but now, genuinely relieved—as if he's just come out the other end of a long tunnel—and smiles wryly]
I... lost my temper today, big time, when he finally confessed. I know you saw it. But what really made me stop was when Ishikirimaru mentioned... the cycle. Keeping it going. Killing a person because they killed a person. It reminded me of... how I wouldn't be alive, if everyone thought like that. If no one had given me a second chance after Akzeriuth...
[How easy it was to imagine, even now—being left on that sinking island in the sea of miasma, suffering the same fate as the last child. His life, rightfully snuffed by Asch, as he slept unconscious in Yulia City. Attacked and killed on any road, revenge for family lost. And he would have deserved it, regardless of what the Score foretold. He would have more than deserved it.]
...I'm angry. I feel betrayed, just like I did with Guy. But I...
[...]
I think I understand why he made that choice. And I think I want to go and see him tomorrow. I can't keep moving forward if I don't... move, I guess. Right?
[He exhales, a long, low breath—and leans down, pressing his forehead to Ion's.]
Thank you.
no subject
I'm glad I could help.
[It's tempting to close his eyes, to let himself savor just the closeness and the warmth of their connection. But Ion doesn't want to miss even a moment, so his big eyes crinkle.]
And...I'm really proud of you.
no subject
[He'd really lost it pretty hard—but he'd dropped his damn sword. He wondered if he'd even been serious about it, or if it had just been an empty action, the formation of his despair made flesh and little more.]
I should be glad you're not mad at me.
no subject
I couldn't ever be mad at you.
[But that's beside the point.]
I'm proud because you're still learning so much every day, and becoming a better and more well-rounded person because of it.
no subject
[There's a pause, and he gives Ion's hands an awkward squeeze, as soft as it is careful.]
...I'm proud of you, too. So... maybe we can both keep it up together.