There is an unavoidable anxiety still that Verso is going to, somehow, reveal that this is another long con. Another you're too distracting, or an after the paintress, though he can't imagine to what end. Realistically, they have to run out of secrets eventually—but Verso had nearly a century to stockpile them.
Walking through Lumière with Verso's hand in his own was easy. Trusting that it was going to last was less so. For years leading up to Expedition 33's departure, he'd reminded himself daily that not trying was the only way to guarantee failure; he finds himself holding onto that mindset now, but with Verso and in the hopes of finding a way to save Maelle's life.
"Oh, I know. It's what drew me to you in the first place," he says. He casts a sidelong glance at him, squeezing his fingers in turn and looking amused. "What did you talk to Maelle about?"
Not at all detail-oriented, he responds, "You know. Stuff."
Part of him feels embarrassed to tell Gustave the truth of their conversation; it had been so avoidant, more interested in keeping the peace—and keeping Maelle happy for just a few more days—than honesty. He hadn't lied. Not outright. But she'd definitely inferred a future for them all that he hadn't dissuaded her of.
"I just told her that I'm... finding ways to make my peace with her staying in the Canvas." He just didn't mention that the ways he's finding involve going far away from her. "She'd seemed happy." And of course he couldn't pop that bubble so soon. Not yet. Not until the last possible second.
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superniceone) wrote2025-06-23 06:53 pm
no subject
Walking through Lumière with Verso's hand in his own was easy. Trusting that it was going to last was less so. For years leading up to Expedition 33's departure, he'd reminded himself daily that not trying was the only way to guarantee failure; he finds himself holding onto that mindset now, but with Verso and in the hopes of finding a way to save Maelle's life.
"Oh, I know. It's what drew me to you in the first place," he says. He casts a sidelong glance at him, squeezing his fingers in turn and looking amused. "What did you talk to Maelle about?"
no subject
Part of him feels embarrassed to tell Gustave the truth of their conversation; it had been so avoidant, more interested in keeping the peace—and keeping Maelle happy for just a few more days—than honesty. He hadn't lied. Not outright. But she'd definitely inferred a future for them all that he hadn't dissuaded her of.
"I just told her that I'm... finding ways to make my peace with her staying in the Canvas." He just didn't mention that the ways he's finding involve going far away from her. "She'd seemed happy." And of course he couldn't pop that bubble so soon. Not yet. Not until the last possible second.