Lapis pounced first, throwing her arms around his neck like she meant to choke him.
"Bro Bro! You're not seriously leaving me behind, are you?" She clung like ivy, glaring up at him with those puppy eyes. "You know I could handle myself out there. I'm faster than most of your soldier friends. And strong. And—"
"You're still in school," he interrupted gently, trying to pry her arms off. "And someone has to stay here with Mom and Dad."
"That's not fair! I'd be amazing at weapons testing—"
"What are you even talking about..." He rolled his eyes in exasperation, but his heart softened at her fire. "Don't throw away your future just because mine's a mess."
She leaned closer, whispering in his ear. "Then maybe I'll tell Alice what I saw earlier. You and that woman looked awfully cozy."
Ashen froze. "...You little blackmailer."
Lapis only smirked and squeezed tighter, like she'd won.
His mother was next. Akidia's hands trembled as she cupped his face, her eyes wet. "Ashen, please. Stay safe. This is the only thing I ask of you. If it gets hard, you can always come back. I'll take care of you for the rest of your life." Her voice cracked. "Just... don't go."
He pulled her into a long, aching hug, burying his chin in her hair. "I can't, Mom. Not this time. But I'll make you proud. I swear it."
She clung to him like she had when he was a boy, murmuring, "You've already made me proud by growing so tall and healthy, son... You don't have to prove anything to me... just come back in one piece."
He felt his eyes growing hotter. "...Yes, mom..."
And then... his father.
The man hadn't said a word since his jab at Lucia. He simply watched, his silence heavier than any scolding. Ashen finally approached, unsure if he'd even get an acknowledgment.
"I'll be back," Ashen said quietly. "Goodbye, Dad."
He turned to leave—
"You talked about atonement... Start with Alice, then."
Ashen stopped. His father's voice was low, gruff, but clear.
"That little girl suffered more than all of us combined... just by staying at your side."
Ashen's throat tightened. He didn't trust himself to speak, so he only nodded once, firmly.
Then he walked out, the weight of three different goodbyes pressing against his chest.
⛧
Click—
Ashen was greeted by Lucia's usual poker face first thing upon leaving the house.
"Where did the dreamy look go, my smitten kitten?"
And... of course, he couldn't resist the urge to tease her.
Lucia gave him a blank look, then shook her head. "I'd rather not keep up the masks when I'm off the job."
Ashen nodded as he walked to her side. "Fair, that would be exhausting, and I would probably be annoyed having to watch you fake every gesture."
"I'm glad we're on the same page, then."
Lucia nodded in her usual non-nonsense fashion.
They walked side by side until they reached Lucia's car. She handed him the keys, and the deadpan face melted into a sultry expression. "So, what's the plan today, dreamboat?"
Ashen's brain froze for two whole seconds before it finally rebooted and arrived at the conclusion that he was, in fact, getting teased back by Lucia herself.
"What...?" he asked reflexively, before giving her a horrified look. "Please don't do that again..."
She tilted her head, looking surprisingly wronged. "Was it that bad? I've never teased anyone before, so I wanted to try it at least once..."
Ashen hurriedly got into the driver's seat, as if running away while mumbling under his breath, "No... rather it was too effective..."
Tak—
"So where are you taking us?" Lucia looked at him as she took the passenger seat.
Vrrrm!
"I'm having a look at a friend's daughter," Ashen explained as he started the car's engine. "She was left alone after he went to the other side. Since I was lucky enough to come back first, I figured I'd take a look."
Lucia merely nodded and then glanced back at the backseats. "And that bundle of cash is for...?"
"Insurance." Ashen answered simply. "That's half of the money you gave me. I gave the other half to Lapis in case something happened while I'm away."
Lucia raised an eyebrow. "Half of it for a girl who is practically a stranger...? You sure are generous..."
Ashen shook his head. "The girl is pitiful, but rather than pity for her, I'm doing this more because of that friend... Together, we faced death... and lived to tell the tale."
He glanced at her. "Doing this for someone willing to risk his life with you is never a loss... besides, Esperra's money would be useless to where we're going anyway, right?"
"...Right." She acquiesced.
"...figured."
The car settled into a quiet lull, but not the awkward kind.
"..."
"..."
Ashen sneaked a glance at her side profile. She had this kind of serenity as she peacefully looked at the scenery passing by the car's window; you'd never guess she was a professional liar.
"By the way," he said, playfulness coloring his tone, "do you treat all your clients this kindly, or am I just special?"
He wasn't judging her with the question—only genuinely curious. He had been observing Lucia closely and cataloging her personality traits since their second meeting.
This was merely one of those times when he wanted to understand what kind of person she was in that area.
"...If you are talking about when I got touchy and flirty, then no, I don't do that usually. I'm not that careless with just anyone," she answered after a short pause.
Then she turned, fully looking at him. "You earned the right since I now consider you my equal. You can take pride in that."
"...How pompous." Ashen whistled.
"Perhaps." Lucia looked completely unbothered.
Ashen shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I don't care how arrogant you are since, apparently, I'm not on the list of individuals you look down on." He gave a playful laugh. "Why would I care if you look down on others? They should just earn your approval if they're dissatisfied, right?"
Lucia looked at him weirdly. "I wonder where you get the guts to call me pompous when you view things that way..."
"Heh, I guess our partnership is looking more promising now, since we've got some things in common."
He didn't get a straight answer, though the slight curve of her lips didn't go unnoticed by Ashen.