[Once they're out of the courtyard and all the discussion contained with in, it's not until they're all the way upstairs, in the Study, that Luke stops, closing the door behind him. He leans against it for a minute, as if unsure what to say, or how to start.]
...I don't know if I have all the words to express just how grateful I feel.
[He comes closer, so he can take Luke's hands in his.]
If it wasn't for your support, I don't think I'd have ever stood a chance. I really owe it all to you, Luke. Nobody else sees me the way that you do. Not even me.
[Ion laughs sheepishly, his face flushing and smile effervescent.]
I won't let you down!
[As if he could. As if Luke would be there. Not letting himself even think it, he ducks his head, reluctantly taking his eyes off of Luke's before he can let the sadness translate into his expression.]
[He's already shaking his head, smile still lingering.]
I'm not worried about that.
[He exhales, gathering his thoughts. How to phrase it?
...]
Okay, so... you know how Guy is from two years after the battle on Eldrant? Just before my 20th birthday?
[Of course he knows. Luke presses on without waiting for Ion's response.]
Well... I was thinking... you know, I can't exactly show up back on Auldrant looking like this, right? [17, nearly 18!] Don't you think it'd be better if I showed up looking my actual birthday age?
[He tilts his head towards Ion, raising his eyebrows, attitude subtly shifting into something playful.]
But, hey, where could I go and live for two years until then? Y'know, somewhere safe and out-of-the-way... I guess I could just hide on Auldrant, but that'd be a little lonely if I couldn't go and see anyone... if only there was somewhere else...
Ion, do you happen to know anywhere? I'm really at a loss, here!
[There's a shocked silence as the words process, Ion at a loss.]
You mean...
[He doesn't feel the tears that roll out of his eyes and down his cheeks; his heart is beating too fast to be able to focus on anything else. And Luke's face, so kind and so close.]
[Mimicking Luke, he touches his fingers to his cheek, and when they come away wet he hesitates, confused, and then lets out a light bubble of laughter.]
Is this...what they call tears of joy? I've never...cried from being so happy, before.
He exhales a sudden breath he hadn't been aware of holding, shoulders sagging with relief. For a moment, Luke bends over, staring at the floor, letting out a weak, manic chuckle of disbelief.]
...Oh, man, I was so worried you were going to say something else.
[Pushing himself back up off his knees, he musses his hair back into place, a smile already blooming across his features.]
You're crying from happiness?! You scared the hell out of me!
[He's nearly laughing as he sweeps Ion into a hug, sighing into his green hair.]
...You can cry on me as much as you want, if you let me stick around.
[He can't help himself. But even as he apologizes and wipes his face, he starts laughing. First, it's almost a doubtful, hesitant laugh, but then it rises into something more merry, and as Luke pulls him in, he throws his arm around the other boy in return. He smiles against Luke's neck, holding him tight.]
I feel like I could just burst--the idea of saying goodbye tomorrow, I just didn't know what to do.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 7 (SUNDAY)
Um.
[Because he really doesn't know.]
So.
You might win.
[As good a place as any.]
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[The silence, full of so many unspoken things!]
It's really an incredible turn of events...isn't it?
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[To say he's awestruck is putting it mildly.]
It feels like a miracle, but...
...I know the real reason is just because everyone else saw what I see every day.
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[He comes closer, so he can take Luke's hands in his.]
If it wasn't for your support, I don't think I'd have ever stood a chance. I really owe it all to you, Luke. Nobody else sees me the way that you do. Not even me.
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If everyone's going to be going around depending on you, I want it to be the best version of you possible!
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I won't let you down!
[As if he could. As if Luke would be there. Not letting himself even think it, he ducks his head, reluctantly taking his eyes off of Luke's before he can let the sadness translate into his expression.]
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[It's hard to miss the flicker of Ion's eyes as they drift elsewhere. And it's not hard to guess what, exactly, he's thinking.
He waits a moment, before giving Ion's hand a little tug, pulling him back to his smile.]
...So... the reason I wanted to talk to you is... kind of related.
It's about my wish.
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Yes, of course! Don't worry, Luke, because I'm going to make sure that you live a long and happy life.
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I'm not worried about that.
[He exhales, gathering his thoughts. How to phrase it?
...]
Okay, so... you know how Guy is from two years after the battle on Eldrant? Just before my 20th birthday?
[Of course he knows. Luke presses on without waiting for Ion's response.]
Well... I was thinking... you know, I can't exactly show up back on Auldrant looking like this, right? [17, nearly 18!] Don't you think it'd be better if I showed up looking my actual birthday age?
[He tilts his head towards Ion, raising his eyebrows, attitude subtly shifting into something playful.]
But, hey, where could I go and live for two years until then? Y'know, somewhere safe and out-of-the-way... I guess I could just hide on Auldrant, but that'd be a little lonely if I couldn't go and see anyone... if only there was somewhere else...
Ion, do you happen to know anywhere? I'm really at a loss, here!
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You mean...
[He doesn't feel the tears that roll out of his eyes and down his cheeks; his heart is beating too fast to be able to focus on anything else. And Luke's face, so kind and so close.]
I...I hadn't even thought...
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H-Hey...
[Brow knitting in concern, Luke leans forward, catching Ion's tears with his fingers, trying to wipe them away as carefully as possible.]
...Are you happy? Or... is it not something we can do...? I-I was just joking around, I don't have to stay if it's going to be a problem!
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[Mimicking Luke, he touches his fingers to his cheek, and when they come away wet he hesitates, confused, and then lets out a light bubble of laughter.]
Is this...what they call tears of joy? I've never...cried from being so happy, before.
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He exhales a sudden breath he hadn't been aware of holding, shoulders sagging with relief. For a moment, Luke bends over, staring at the floor, letting out a weak, manic chuckle of disbelief.]
...Oh, man, I was so worried you were going to say something else.
[Pushing himself back up off his knees, he musses his hair back into place, a smile already blooming across his features.]
You're crying from happiness?! You scared the hell out of me!
[He's nearly laughing as he sweeps Ion into a hug, sighing into his green hair.]
...You can cry on me as much as you want, if you let me stick around.
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[He can't help himself. But even as he apologizes and wipes his face, he starts laughing. First, it's almost a doubtful, hesitant laugh, but then it rises into something more merry, and as Luke pulls him in, he throws his arm around the other boy in return. He smiles against Luke's neck, holding him tight.]
I feel like I could just burst--the idea of saying goodbye tomorrow, I just didn't know what to do.
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[There's a pause, and he hums, suddenly nervous. What did he know about the rules?]
...We can, right? It's the same wish, and all... I just... I don't have to leave right away.