#chrono1

Wow. Wild.

Asher should have known that Emmanuel was right all along; he was a smart cookie. It was fortunate that the only one he had gotten close to seemed to have figured everything out. All Asher had to do was bask in his glory.

He shouldn't have been surprised at Thierry's sacrifice - or any of the four's sacrifices - given his belief that people were essentially good. Maybe so many disasters implying otherwise had muddied his thoughts over the past few years and left him pessimistic and fatigued. Now he was simply in awe of their selflessness. It didn't seem fair, to be able to witness such courage, only to see it disappear before their time.

To be honest, he couldn't grieve yet, because he was still hoping there'd be some magic trick, or someone jumping out from behind a wall saying it was all just a test of the human spirit or something like that, and everyone would be coming back to life together. Hey, it had all been magical so far. Why not now, too?

(Though such thoughts would be regretted when they did actually disappear, and he hadn't shown them how much he cared.)

He almost jumped when Emmanuel took his hand, too focused on the four leaving them. He turned to him and smiled, looking almost entranced. How could he not be, with the man who saved his life? Who had been so brave in spite of everything, and always honest?

[Definitely. We can't waste our lives not going on adventures!]

[You did so well. I'm so fucking proud of you!]

Ever since he was born, Thierry's world was one of expectations.

Of directions, too-tight collars, demands, punishments, exploitations, and the indignity of inaction. Of social gatherings, hushed whispers, things behind closed doors that no one ever dared to speak of and so no one ever heard. If you never scream, help never comes, and even when it does, when you live in a beautiful gilded cage why should anyone believe you're in need of it at all?

Thierry had screamed, twice, and no one had listened, and so he had lapsed into silence and cowardice and growing sickness as he watched his meager value to people whose love came at a cost not worth paying stay afloat with his sister's life for forfeit.

Thierry died desperately trying to right a wrong, and he'd do so again, now.

"Did I..."

He says, everyone finally able to see the tears that trickle down his face. It's striking, really, how awfully young he looks. How much younger he seems, curled in on himself, crying and scared and frozen in place.

"Did I do the right thing?"

He asks to no one, grief and fear raw in his voice as he brings his arms up to hold himself defensively, eyes already darting around as if trying to gauge potential threats. He seems terrified. Fully, blindingly terrified. But he still manages to speak.

"Does it make me a terrible person?"

Thierry laughs, a shaky and unsure thing, as shaky and unsure hands come up to try to futilely wipe at tears that won't stop coming.

"I said it all along, didn't I? Equinox is not your enemy. I love my team like I love my own family, make no mistake. Perhaps it's...fitting."

He laughs more, mirthlessly, and cries even harder.

Sagittarius nods as the others around him speak, taking the time to compose himself before speaking again.

"A-Alright, so... myself, Aquarius, Libra, Gemini, Capricorn, and Virgo, th-then...? If that is... alright..."

Capricorn went quiet and listened to others talking… Smiling sympathetically at Sagittarius… Then he only perked up when he was mentioned… And when Cancer was mentioned in Sagittarius’ team suggestion as well? It was like… A pleasant surprise. Of course, Capricorn would have been understanding if Sagittarius chose otherwise, but he didn’t. He respected his wishes.

So it was safe to say that Capricorn’s face lit up at the team. It… Was perfect!

All that’s left… Is to wait for Cancer if he was up to go with them. One final time.

But still he’ll confirm to Sagittarius, his tone was lighter but still compassionate.

“Of course, I still want to go!”

Part of himself just… Felt happy that at least, this time Cancer was welcome once again, even if for the final mission. He was sure that Cancer wouldn’t mind, but still looked at him just to confirm.

But right now, Capricorn felt that the others who were in the suggestion should speak up too so, he was willing to hear them out... Although, he knew that everything would be alright in the end.

…