Grief and joy
There is sometimes no layer between it.
Most days are good.
Lyutsifer cheeres the moment with Mathilde, nearly forgetting she isn't his. Not fully.
Sometimes he, the scientists, understands that dna isn't important. What is funny in its own way.
It didn't come easy to him. This affection. Adoration. Letting the guards down for a child, so curious and wild.
Sometimes, it hurts. She is the girl with the wrong name. A placeholder for someone who will never come back.
Sometimes, he wonders if he can switch. If time let him. Replace Mathilde with her.
But that would not be fair. Mathilde deserves to be alive. To be wild. Curious. Insistend.
He will never forget Irina .
But he will care for Mathilde. Maybe ... he will be able to love her. Like she deserves. Like every little girl deserves.
