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Thorns!

[ They literally see each other at the end of every day now but he's still peering over to make sure he's okay. There is truly so much that has happened this week…

He joins him by the rails. ]

… You know, before all this, I never really thought about what it meant to make progress, or how one even measures it. Have you been feeling like you're getting any closer to yours?

[ hm...

thorns looks at him curiously, before turning his attention back to the sea. ]

This was the first time I felt like k made any progress the entire time. I've been failing every other week.

[ lmao ]

[ oh my god. ]

I really can't leave you alone.

[ He explodes internally. What changed about last week compared to the other weeks…? ]

Now that we know what we're looking for, do you at least feel any more motivated?

I'm not sure if motivation was the problem. I do not understand the metrics.

[ what is he being judged on... he just does not know. ]

I've gotten closer every week so far, so it probably means I'm doing something right.

[ He pokes Thorns' cheek. ]

If I never asked you about it, were you just not going to say anything? I almost feel bad for the person you're looking for.

Don't you have enough to worry about? You should keep doing as you have been.

[ there's a pause, and he mutters. ]

Deviancy, apparently.

I think this place has made it blatantly clear that I'm meant to be worrying over you. You're really going to make me say it aloud?

And I was talking about other people! Other people!! Who do you think I am, huh?

[ HMMMM...

he finally pokes him back. ]

You did say the theming is lust.

[ he just skips over the first thing he said. ]

[ OKAY. Why does he bother being honest with you. ]

You can't have no progress again…

[ he can't even promise that won't happen when he has no idea what he did differently.

he gestures for elysium to come closer. ]

[ If Elysium hovers over him annoyingly he thinks it should work out? PLEASE?

While stressing over this he just scoots over without thinking about it too much. What. ]

[ hi...

he leans in. ]

What made you suddenly ask?

[ Them having no concept of personal space is nothing new, but Thorns is usually not the one thoroughly broaching it first… he swallows a little uncomfortably before meeting his gaze. ]

About what? You're going to have to be more specific than that.

You said you never thought about progress before this week.

[ at first thorns thought it meant elysium did poorly recently, but that does not seem to be the case. ]

If it were something that only concerned me, I could brush it off. Easy. But now that I know, it changes a lot.

Aren't you the same?

... Yes.

[ things were much easier when he had only been risking himself.

but he does have questions. ]

I am your person?

I thought the box made that pretty obvious? There were a bunch of names that I didn't recognise, so I figured the one with yours was meant to be mine.

[ He raps his knuckle against Thorns' head with a laugh. ]

Help will always be by your side whether you want it or not. I don't know how you got stuck here, but it's my job to get you out, isn't it? No questions asked.

[ he is reminded of elysium rushing to save him when he thought thorns was kidnapped by pirates. ]

I hope you apply that same amount of concern onto yourself. [ that's debatable. ] We'll both make it.

[ don't forget thorns' stupid paradox simulator ]

Yeah. We will. [ lmao. ] It's harder to narrow what I've been doing right, but what made last week different for you than the rest?

I don't know.

[ he tries to think about it... ]

I guess I talked about... things more.

That would do it. This place doesn't seem like it'll help us with that, so maybe we should—

[ Maybe they should what? As if on perfect cue, the simulation begins to shift, the world warping until another version of Thorns and Elysium stands on the deck, Thorns' hand already outstretched.

Will you come with me?

Oh. Elysium immediately snorts. ]

[ oh.

thorns raises an eyebrow, watching themselves play out in front of them. ]

How would you answer?

… I've already given you that answer, haven't I?

[ The way the answer is still a non-answer.

And it's as though those choices had never mattered at all, the play already moving on to its next act. Elysium helping him raise the mast, helping guide the wheel. Another scene follows, his hands firm around Thorns' ankle where he might have gone overboard, his face flushed bright red.

Then, at last, a quiet night aboard the Cuna de Nene, the stars at their brightest as the two of them stand shoulder to shoulder, gazing up at the sky above. ]

Hah…

[ this does tell a story.

he doesn't say anything at first, just quietly watching all of the changing scenes. once it settles down, he turns his attention back to elysium. ]

I wouldn't have fallen off.

[ he definitely has. ]

[ He doesn't turn his attention back to Thorns, his focus lingering on the moment still unfolding in front of them. Even if, to Thorns, it's already settled—and to everyone else it might look like nothing more than the two of them standing there—he catches the subtle movement of their mouths, the curve of a smile on their lips.

Unbidden, Thorns can feel the way his chest tightens. ]

Yeah? Couldn't be us, then.

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