[ It was her turn to wile the trail of tears from his face, her other hand remaining on his back. ]

You can take longer. As much as you need.

[ There was no time limit. Her arms would still welcome his pain.

If anything, having Marco here felt like time had began to move for her again, a slow creak of hands that had rusted over time. She had felt frozen in the final events she’d experienced in Ergastulum, no closure, no knowing what happened to anyone. There were still a million unanswered questions, but there was at least one answer in front of her now.

The crystals that had formed around her had chipped and fallen away, barely any left on her now. Maybe it was the synchrony, maybe it was something more. But her focus remained on Marco. ]

I know…that we haven’t interacted much.

[ Mostly in dangerous situations, and even then it always centered around other people like protecting Loretta, or being with Connie. ]

But please believe me when I say that anything you need, I’m here for you.

[ Saying he wasn’t alone felt like another stab to his chest, so she doesn’t say it out loud, but her feelings pulse through their synchrony, a steady thrum against his cheek. ]

Why don’t you stay with me for a few days? No—- I insist.