Thank you. I might. At the least, I will come by often, before or after work. So if you need me to fetch anything for you... [he need only ask. though she assumes she'll have to insist.]
[he doesn't say anything, just squeezes his arm around her a little tighter.]
Look at me, only whinin' about my own stupid problems when you were the one that actually responded to that monster. Are you sure you're quite alright, Lucina? I'm terribly sorry...
[she has to be fine, doesn't she? he can't bear any more tragedy. she might be able to, either.
after a beat:] I don't know if...it's the same one, or if there are many...but. After Luke... [...] I encountered it again. Adora and I. And I can only hope that's the end of it. But I just don't know.
[maybe now just isn't the time to talk about it. archie doesn't think he's qualified-- so... he doesn't really say anything. archie grips her again, pulling her in closer for another hug, wrapping his arms around her properly this time.
he's sorry. he's so sorry, but nothing he can do or say will make this better, and it's something he's long since accepted.]
[she sinks into the hug with just a faint sound, hiding her face. sometimes there really isn't much words can do compared to just close contact; a hug can say a great deal. his arms are a big enough buffer to all the things she knows are looming just outside of the room -- the things she ought to do, has to do. she will allow herself to be weak for a little while, because it's safe here, and there's some illusion she does some good here. leaving Archie alone now would be awful...]
[perhaps ironically, archie's feeling largely the same. he doesn't have to think about his responsibilities or those he failed when he's here. he can just switch off and go through the motions for anyone that comes by. hell, when it comes to certain imports he's closest to he doesn't even have to switch off, and lucina is one of them.]
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...I know. I'll be fine.
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Look at me, only whinin' about my own stupid problems when you were the one that actually responded to that monster. Are you sure you're quite alright, Lucina? I'm terribly sorry...
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after a beat:] I don't know if...it's the same one, or if there are many...but. After Luke... [...] I encountered it again. Adora and I. And I can only hope that's the end of it. But I just don't know.
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[he exhales, pinching his nose with his free hand.]
Look, I know you probably don't want to hear this when not everyone walked away from it but... you did what you could.
[bold words spoken by the guy who thoroughly blames himself for niko's demise.]
A pattern in these things... it never feels like it is, but realistically...
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[she's not new to being too late.]
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he's sorry. he's so sorry, but nothing he can do or say will make this better, and it's something he's long since accepted.]
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I'm glad you came, [he says, gently.] I'm glad you're here.
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...We're greater when we have others around us. To fight with us. To fight for. It's...a lesson I learn again and again, even after all this time.
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[he exhales.]
It's the nature of it all, I think.
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People? Or...this place?
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...Well. It's natural that people strive further together. And struggle more in hardship to do that. I suppose you're right.