[ things that laurence never even thought of: this. he stares at the ribbon for a moment and suddenly feels the weight of the past few weeks settle back onto his shoulders.
before speaking again, he has to swallow hard. ]
Are... are you sure you can't just come back with me? Chrono and Jiaoqiu - they miss you, too. How am I supposed to tell them I just let you go again?
[ unless he's doing something headass, zhongli usually tries to think of anything and everything he possibly can. it's fine. ]
I'm afraid that's likely not in our future today, Laurence. Neverah couldn't return with Lucas, Miss Maomao, and Master Uruha after their trip - I doubt we can return with you.
That isn't to say that we won't try. It won't be your fault, if that fails. You must know that.
[ their poor living boy!! zhongli huffs a soft sigh, bringing his hands up and just -
taking laurence's face in them, looking at him. really looking at him. ]
For all that this was a harrowing experience, I am glad that we got to see you. [ i'm proud of you, still. ] Hug them both, for me. Tell Jiaoqiu that we're doing alright, and progress is slowly being made on our side, but that I hope his dreams are kinder to him. Tell Chrono that there are still many there that he can trust and rely on, but that I will always be a listening ear if he's not sure where to go.
there's a bit of a sting at his eyes, but in his brain soup he remembers that he's not supposed to cry or his mascara will run. that would be terrible? can't let that happen where people can SEE.
so he bites it back and forces himself to nod. this isn't how he wanted this to end. ]
...I'm glad I got to see you guys, too. [ even if it is a little awkward with akihiko here, besides all the weird shit. ] Okay. I-- I'll tell them. Tonight. Just in case.
[ it is still thursday somehow despite it being like a month. ]
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before speaking again, he has to swallow hard. ]
Are... are you sure you can't just come back with me? Chrono and Jiaoqiu - they miss you, too. How am I supposed to tell them I just let you go again?
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I'm afraid that's likely not in our future today, Laurence. Neverah couldn't return with Lucas, Miss Maomao, and Master Uruha after their trip - I doubt we can return with you.
That isn't to say that we won't try. It won't be your fault, if that fails. You must know that.
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he chews on his lip unhappily. he doesn't like that answer at all. ]
Then... is there anything I should tell them? Just in case. I know we have letters now, but.
[ it isn't the same. ]
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taking laurence's face in them, looking at him. really looking at him. ]
For all that this was a harrowing experience, I am glad that we got to see you. [ i'm proud of you, still. ] Hug them both, for me. Tell Jiaoqiu that we're doing alright, and progress is slowly being made on our side, but that I hope his dreams are kinder to him. Tell Chrono that there are still many there that he can trust and rely on, but that I will always be a listening ear if he's not sure where to go.
... apologize to Lucas for me.
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there's a bit of a sting at his eyes, but in his brain soup he remembers that he's not supposed to cry or his mascara will run. that would be terrible? can't let that happen where people can SEE.
so he bites it back and forces himself to nod. this isn't how he wanted this to end. ]
...I'm glad I got to see you guys, too. [ even if it is a little awkward with akihiko here, besides all the weird shit. ] Okay. I-- I'll tell them. Tonight. Just in case.
[ it is still thursday somehow despite it being like a month. ]