lowestclass | IC INBOX

[ It has been a difficult few months, just one thing after another, all becoming progressively worse. And now that mutt was here, along with the horrible reminders of what he has done to other teams. Of what was planned for them - the thought of seeing her friends, her family, like that is more thsn enough to make her anxiety spike.

But she can ignore that as she focuses on Jinwoo, watching as the shadows drift up and curl around him, and then simply pulling him closer. Tucking his head against her shoulder, so he can hide there, as a hand rubs along his back. He was there for her in the midst of her panic and rage over remembering Douman again, so the least she can do is be here for him now. ]

We can rebuild, even if that means starting from scratch again. And the old man is tough, he... He would've been alright no matter what.

[ She doesn't want to consider any other possibilities. ]

Not until we take down the Order. It can't keep going on like this... And once we've done that, you'll be free.

[ he doesn't for a moment resist being pulled in--even moving to curl his arms up a little so he can bundle against her quietly with a soft sigh in his throat. A fear that bubbles up in his throat as he feels the edges of himself curling into smoke.

He's not so far gone that Ashborn's close, but. He can feel those pitless hot violet eyes on him. ]

We're still not even done. That was just one set of their monsters. We have more to deal with than that.

There are hundreds of them, worldwide.
If we keep killing them like this, they'll --

...

What if next, we have to face the higher-ups.

We're like bugs to them.
I met one, once.
I don't... remember who they were. I think my memory of them was removed, by whatever magic they have. But their presence was so heavy, I felt sick.

[ Her arms squeeze tighter around him, holding him close to reassure him that he's not alone. He's never alone now, not anymore. ]

We will probably have to face the higher-ups soon. We... can't keep letting them send their Zealots after us and risk people getting caught in the crossfire.

[ With Dan Heng getting killed, and Rose and Fugo being thrown into that Labyrinth... It can't continue like this. And letting this continue would only wear them down too.

It has to end, one way or another. But hearing what he says about the higher ups... She bites on her lip, worry curling in her chest. ]

It's going to be hard, the hardest thing we've ever done. But you aren't alone, none of us are, and I imagine we aren't the only ones tired of things now...

I promised you would be free, and I'm going to keep that promise.

[ he was scared. of course he was scared--he had spent his whole life in the Order with his head down, and now he's going to have to go to war with the leaders of the ...

...He had signed up for this. He rememebers, keenly, Zhongli offering him a pact, an out, and he'd been too prideful to take it in the moment. Promising he'd come back to accept it once he'd paid Jusis back his kindness.

And there's a tiny
small
part of him
the most cowardly, self-preserving part

that wishes he'd taken the pact then and there

and separated himself from all of this. He wraps himself closer to himself, and he feels the shadows cling closer, and he tries his best to focus not on the echoing of his own heartbeat but instead, on Lapis. ]

...Not alone.

Right. You're right. 'Going Solo...' I've been like that for so long.
I don't remember the last time I have been alone.

Since I came here.
Since I met you. [ there's... life, in that sentence, as if a realisation, that it'd been so long since he was truly in the haunting, echoing silence

that he can't actually

remember what it feels like

to be away from the warmth of someone elses' presence. ]

[ Lapis sees how he curls more into himself and how those shadows cling closer, and takes a moment to shift him in her arms. Moving his head against her chest so he can hear the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, calm and strong, as she holds him close to her. A hand rubs at his back in a soothing motion, while the other threads through his hair - fingers lightly brushing against the base of those horns.

All to help remind him that he's not alone. She's right here and she's not going anywhere.

And it's a relief to hear that life in his voice, as that realisation comes to him. Though... she falls quiet for a moment, before shaking her head. ]

I didn't do much. [ She's just one of many people he's met, after all. ]

It's not just me, but everyone else you met here. You'll never be truly alone now.

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