[ yves listens along, thoughtfully. it's so much to hold onto, and he supposes it's true. you never know what fate has in store for you, even if it's painful. the more that he learns about his connections to the lycoris flowers, to ceres, the more that he thinks it might be fate.

but because he loves his friends so dearly, he decides it's fate reserved for a different version of him. if that's how it works.

instead, zuriel is the one in front of him. sad, upset, mourning. he holds her close in this hug, and runs his fingers through her hair even as he squeezes her that much closer as she finishes telling her story. her experience. her tragedy, really. ]

... I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that fate was something so cruel, even if it brought you something so sweet. I wish it didn't have to be that way.

Even if... I am glad, nonetheless, that you know you are a person meant to be loved.