But back then... it hadn't been something he'd taken seriously. It hadn't really seemed like something that could actually happen, and it'd been a throwaway comment amidst so much more happening.
But now...
She says it flat out and plainly, and Leon doesn't really know how to take it. Go...home with Otome? Instead of going home to his death--]
I-- you... you must be joking, that is not--
[... Not something that should even remotely be possible. Not for someone like him.]
Leon's breath catches, and then he feels like he can barely breathe. What...even is family? Is it the memory of a mother, faded and barely able to be recalled? Is it a sister who doesn't even know he's her brother, who mocked and derided him and with good reason?
Is it his father, angry and fierce, cruel and rude?
... Or is it this? This warmth, this kindness... Otome, who had never led him wrong, who had always been there for him and caringly. Who had always, always done her best by him.
Who... loved him.
He breathes out shakily, ducking his head, bangs hiding his face.]
I don't...know...how to--have a family. [He admits that, even though he knows it's pathetic. He doesn't know...what else to say at this point.
He doesn't know how to have a family. He doesn't know how to be family to someone else. He knows... he's never had it before. But he can't deny that...he wants it.
If... he can't go home, or if going home means going to his death...then he wants to have this family. It's an ache in his chest that's almost warm.]
... That's the thing about families. [ It breaks her heart to see him like this, when it usually takes Leon so much to admit to any sort of frailty or uncertainty. That he's willing to speak of it at all only reminds her of how far they've come. And additionally, it's another reminder-- as she'd said, Leon's just as deserving as any kid out there who hasn't had a caring family. No matter his choices... in the end, he deserved this.
For now, Otome only watches him fondly, resisting the urge to brush his bangs away. ]
They're all different, Leon. A family doesn't have to be the people you share blood ties with. They're the people you care about, the ones who care about you, and as long as you're happy being around them... that's really all you need to do. You don't have to be alone.
He swallows tightly then, trying so hard to find his composure, and struggling so much. This sort of offer--it's more than he's ever had before.
It's so much.
And he's undeniably overwhelmed. But... he's thinking about it. And he's starting to realize--maybe that really could be...an option. Maybe he really could continue to live--
With a family...?]
I...will need some time to think on this. Please--understand.
Of course. [ She did just kind of dump a whole lot on him, didn't she? Leon's already got so much to think through... but if nothing else, she wants him to know that the option is there. ]
Take as long as you need, okay? This is something I want you to be able to decide for yourself, without any doubts.
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...What is it?
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[ ... ]
Ideally, you'd be able to return to your own world. But if that's not an option...
Then, definitely, please come home with me.
[ she's sure she's said it before. But it's become a heavier thought now, as things continue to change. ]
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But back then... it hadn't been something he'd taken seriously. It hadn't really seemed like something that could actually happen, and it'd been a throwaway comment amidst so much more happening.
But now...
She says it flat out and plainly, and Leon doesn't really know how to take it. Go...home with Otome? Instead of going home to his death--]
I-- you... you must be joking, that is not--
[... Not something that should even remotely be possible. Not for someone like him.]
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[ She'd never joke about something like that. ]
Leon, someone like you... deserves every possible chance to be happy, whether you believe that or not.
[ And she doubts he does, but she certainly believes in it. ]
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He just...doesn't know how to comprehend it.]
I...
[But...]
With you?
[Would Otome even...want him around that much? Why would she offer something like that to him? She has her own life, doesn't she?]
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[ All the head shaking has her smile turning rueful. She's probably overwhelming him, isn't she? And yet-- ]
I'd like to be a part of your life, as family.
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Leon's breath catches, and then he feels like he can barely breathe. What...even is family? Is it the memory of a mother, faded and barely able to be recalled? Is it a sister who doesn't even know he's her brother, who mocked and derided him and with good reason?
Is it his father, angry and fierce, cruel and rude?
... Or is it this? This warmth, this kindness... Otome, who had never led him wrong, who had always been there for him and caringly. Who had always, always done her best by him.
Who... loved him.
He breathes out shakily, ducking his head, bangs hiding his face.]
I don't...know...how to--have a family. [He admits that, even though he knows it's pathetic. He doesn't know...what else to say at this point.
He doesn't know how to have a family. He doesn't know how to be family to someone else. He knows... he's never had it before. But he can't deny that...he wants it.
If... he can't go home, or if going home means going to his death...then he wants to have this family. It's an ache in his chest that's almost warm.]
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For now, Otome only watches him fondly, resisting the urge to brush his bangs away. ]
They're all different, Leon. A family doesn't have to be the people you share blood ties with. They're the people you care about, the ones who care about you, and as long as you're happy being around them... that's really all you need to do. You don't have to be alone.
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He swallows tightly then, trying so hard to find his composure, and struggling so much. This sort of offer--it's more than he's ever had before.
It's so much.
And he's undeniably overwhelmed. But... he's thinking about it. And he's starting to realize--maybe that really could be...an option. Maybe he really could continue to live--
With a family...?]
I...will need some time to think on this. Please--understand.
[It's a lot for him to think about.]
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Take as long as you need, okay? This is something I want you to be able to decide for yourself, without any doubts.
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[That's all he can promise; otherwise, he's just completely and entirely overwhelmed.]
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[ He's going to need some time-- to rest and to think. ]