abaogenesis | LIMELIGHT INBOX

Correct, I do. You tend to oversteep your more delicate flavors.

[ Matter-of-factly, as she prepares him a cup of something floral. ]

I'm glad you came to visit.

[ He takes a seat somewhere that he probably tries not to think of as his seat ]

For more reasons other than my delightful company?

Yes, though I am happy for your company. I feel like I haven't seen much of you since we disembarked...

[ Watches him, and gives a fond huff as he sits in The Same Seat As Always. She comes over soon enough, though, tea tray with cup and treats in hand to set before him. ]

Speaking of which, it seems as if the boat will be taking off again soon.

[ He doesn't reach for it immediately ]

Mm.

I thought you would've been packed up by now.

Ah.

I'm staying home.

[ He doesn't look shocked, exactly. It's a dismaying confirmation, more than it is news.

He still looks stricken, though. ]

I see.

I was not invited back to begin with so it's good I made the choice on my own, don't you think?

[ she carefully touches his hand, gentle. ]

Don't look at me like that. I'll start to think you're going to miss me.

[ Kind of pained ]

Don't say that. Shit, Pen. Of course I'm going to miss you.

... Oh, you are? My. I thought you were still upset with me.

[ Exhales, almost a sigh ]

I'm frustrated with you. But I still--

[ haltingly ]

I'm glad you were there.

...

Ace. You know what I said back then was a lie, don't you?

... What?

About you being "a waste of my time."

And more importantly, I suppose, the implication that I held no love for you, as I believed you did not for me.

[ Kinda looks like he wants to cry lol ]

Oh.

I apologize for not saying anything sooner. I suppose my only excuse is my terrible slowness in coming to understand my own shortcomings... and then the boat docking disrupting other plans.

[ He shakes his head, taking a steadying breath ]

Y'know... there were probably a dozen times in my life that I thought I was in love. Like-- really in love. "The one", all that.

Now I know that was naive, and most of 'em probably weren't love at all, not like that. But you...

That was real. I'm confident in that.

[ Ah. She strokes her thumb over his knuckles. ]

... I do regret not knowing what was wrong with me earlier. Perhaps then I could have been a better partner, in general.

I do love you. Perhaps the strength of it isn't enough to support the feelings you're capable of, but it would be wrong of me not to say so.

[ The flicker of a smile ]

You were a pretty good partner, long after we broke up. On the boat. Handling the kids.

... I really enjoyed it. I want you to know I'll always think of that time fondly, for all its troubles.

[ was she. She looks slightly doubtful about being Good At Kids, but. ]

... Don't act as if we'll never see each other again. There's always the chance the boat pulls be back in a few weeks. And if not that, there's the next docking.

I'm also only a phone call away.

[ Deflates a little ]

I know, I know, just...

It'll be different. Y'know?

[ WHY DOES THIS FEEL LIKE GETTING DIVORCED* AGAIN

* never married ]

You'll be able to protect them better than I ever have.

Have some tea before it gets cold. Don't waste my work.

Don't sell yourself short, Pen. It's not like you.

[ He scoots over a little bit ]

Sit and drink with me.

Mm, well. It's only the truth.

[ but she sits beside him, reaching over to pour him a cup, then one for herself. ]

LIMELIGHT INBOX

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