bursts into tears

[oversea]

Comments

[oversea]

I love you too.

[ he really forgot work. ]

We need to go check on the Doctor now.

[transmit]

[ they can always get back to it…

he is a family man. he will not be the elysium of that alternate future where his family falls apart because he chose working and providing for them first. ]

We do.

[ they go… ]

[oversea]

[ they go...

docybara is sniffing some other animals at the barn, but immediately rushes to them once they are in sight.

this is familial bliss. ]

[transmit]

[ while thorns is tending to docybara, the wife from earlier rushes over to elysium and ask if he'd managed to help fix the communications systems. barely any time has passed? what's going on?

he awkwardly says they'd forgotten something with docybara so he will be on his way (again) shortly… watches thorns and docybara with fondness. this is so cursed. ]

[oversea]

[ wow... he should have gotten it done in those two minutes...

but petting docybara is bringing peace to thorns. perhaps... he is not a failure? maybe he can fix this? no. he will fix this. he will never ruin this again.

he turns around and goes back to elysium. ]

Let's go.

[transmit]

[ he is not sure what sorcery thorns has tried conducting in this short amount of time, but if he's found inner peace he will go along with it… ]

Are you sure you don't want more time?

[ docybara whines the moment thorns turns his attention away. he really has picked up too many of elysium's habits. ]

[oversea]

We need to get your thing over with.

[ stupid ass job.

thorns wants to get it over with. ]

[transmit]

[ unlike thorns, elysium is still completely ready to sacrifice docybara if need be. he continues to be the worst dad.

off they go…… does thorns pout the entire way. ]

[oversea]

[ he does.

he is going through it. the drug addiction reveal just completely ruined his perception of things. ]

[transmit]

He was completely fine, wasn't he? Nothing to worry about. Burdenbeasts are known for their resilience.

[

tentatively pats him again. please don't explode. ]

[oversea]

Because you cured him...

[ how is elysium the better parent?

thorns has no idea where they're going because he has forgotten everything they had said to elysium because of this. ]

[transmit]

[ did thorns genuinely think he was best dad in the world mug worthy… oh no. ]

Oh. Well. [ … ] You chose me as your partner, didn't you? That should count as you knowing how to make up for your shortfalls.

[oversea]

What are my shortfalls?

[ he knows he has them, he just wants elysium to list them. ]

[transmit]

[ the moment of realisation where he's like

fuck!!!!!!!!!! i fucked up!!!! ]

I'm more social and have more common sense than you.

[ these are safe things to say. yet, also highly debatable at this point of his character development (regression…?). anyway. ]

[oversea]

[ this is barely true anymore, but okay.

thorns just stares at elysium for a moment. ]

Keep leading the way.

[transmit]

What was that look for?

[ the way he's literally clueless. but they continue on… ]

[oversea]

Nothing. You're cute.

[ this is like when you try to distract your pet to take them to the vet. ]

[transmit]

Mm? How so?

[ scoots closer to thorns. it, unfortunately, works. ]

[oversea]

You followed me...

[ instead of doing his job... ]

[transmit]

[ this is exactly the dialogue choice you'd make if you wanted your love interest to be more insane. he brightens in the feeling of validation. ]

You're my priority. Of course I did.

[oversea]

[ this is fine...

he swings their hands. ]

How long do you think this will take?

[ helping them... this of course doesn't even include if they get ambushed. ]

[transmit]

[ they just have to hope this side quest doesn't spawn ten other side quests they literally do not have the time for this ]

Anywhere from half an hour to two hours? [ swings thorns' hand back. ] Should we stop by the bookstore so you can find something to do?

[ like leaving docybara with treats or a toy… ]

[oversea]

No. I'll just watch you.

[ this is crazy but thorns thoroughly believes he can be entertained up to two hours simply watching elysium work. ]

[transmit]

It's been a while since you've seen me in my element, huh? Be sure to fall in love with me all over again.

[ okay.

but they get to the radio tower… they ask what took them so long… they're a little rude about it, but elysium smooths over the interaction easily enough before getting right into running diagnostics and occasionally fiddling with his flag.

thorns can get a chair… he even can sit next to elysium. wow! ]

[oversea]

[ he scoots right next to him and watches him intently.

this could be seen as being too clingy. the others there are probably thinking that, actually. ]