[ It's been a couple of days since Iron just... disappeared from her shadow. Since she last saw Jinwoo; she couldn't sense him anymore either. And Lapis told herself this was something to be expected, that it's possible for him to just vanish at anytime.
Those thoughts don't ease how much his absence ached, don't soothe just how much she misses him; and she couldn't even properly confess to him in the end either. But she tries to keep herself busy, tries to keep herself distracted during sleepless nights where she would've gone to him. But the pang is always there, impossible to ignore - honestly, times like this she wishes she could get drunk, at least to numb that feeling a little.
So she's surprised on another sleepless night that she picks up on a presence nearby, familiar but also not, and there's very little hesitation in answering the door when that heavy knock lands on it. Golden eyes blink up at Jinwoo, the relief in seeing him again so strong that she almost tears up. Almost, as his question just throws her for a loop. Why is he asking that... ]
What? Of course I do, what are you... [ No, no something is different. This is still Jinwoo, but there's been a change to him - death clings to him more heavily than before, as if it's become a part of him.
Her hand reaches for his, pulling him into her room - and once the door closes, she tugs him over to sit next to her on her bed, concern radiating off her. There must be a reason why he asked that, a reason behind this change. ]
[ After hearing his own name Jinwoo relaxes a bit more, but for some reason, his body feels really heavy now that he's sitting next to Lapis on her bed. Instead of answering, he rests his forehead against her shoulder and takes a deep breath.
What happened? He doesn't understand it himself. One moment he was there, the other he wasn't, and now he's back. That makes him wonder how much time has passed since they've seen each other. ]
I... I was gone, right? For how long?
[ He's going to explain as much as he can, but he still needs a moment to gather his thoughts. ]
A lot... happened. You can tell that something is different about me, can't you?
[ Golden eyes blink when Jinwoo rests against her shoulder, but there's no hesitation in wrapping an arm around him. Lapis holding him close, as her other hand reaches up to gently brush her fingers through his hair. It's clear he's feeling overwhelmed, so she'll give him all the time he needs. ]
Mmhm, a couple of days. I noticed something was wrong when I couldn't sense Iron in my shadow anymore, and then I couldn't sense you either...
[ It still makes her heart twist, thinking about his absence. But he's here now and that's what matters. ]
I can, yes. It feels like... death covers you more than before. [ Like he's seeped in it. Though it doesn't change how she feels about him, besides concern about what's happened. ]
[ It's not exactly reassuring, but Jinwoo is aware that it could have been worse. If he glitched out for a month or two all of a sudden, stripped off the chance to tell her that he'll be back no matter what— ]
I'm sorry. [ Jinwoo told her repeatedly to not apologize about things out of her control, but he might be terrible at listening to his own advice. ] I didn't mean to worry you.
[ The deep sigh that follows might seem like he has some bad news to share, but when he gazes up at Lapis, his lips are slightly curved up in a faint smile. ]
Iron... I'm sorry, but you won't see him again. [ His expression becomes somewhat apologetic. ] I hope he's happier now that he lives as a human again, though. As for me...
[ Where does he even begin? Jinwoo presses his forehead against her shoulder again and takes a deep breath. ]
[ Jinwoo apologies, and Lapis huffs in response - a finger gently poking into his side. ]
Remember what you told me, never apologise for things out of your control. [ And it looks like there's a lot on his mind. The last thing she wants is for him to worry about this too. ] I'm just happy to see you again.
[ She missed him greatly, in those last few days. But she doesn't want to bog him down with that either, especially when he sighs like that - brows furrowing in concern. ]
Ah... [ Iron is human again... She's glad for that, she really is, but she still feels her heart sink. ] Mm, I'll miss him. But I hope his life as a human again is a happy one. And -
[ She trails off, glancing towards her desk. There sits a little Iron, almost fully knitted together. ] - We'll have little Iron, at least.
[ And as for Jinwoo, she glances over as his head thumps against her shoulder, watching him for a moment. Then her arms tighten around him, gently motioning him to lay on the bed next to her; keeping his head tucked against her shoulder. ]
As long as you're fine, that's what matters. There's no rush to tell me everything, I'm not going anywhere.
I guess I’m no good at listening to my own advice.
[ Still, maybe it was worth it, even if just for that huff. Maybe it’s a little unfair on his end to not mention it, but Jinwoo wants to see if Lapis will treat him the same way as before, even if she’s noticed the change already. Jinwoo doesn’t have to wait too long for an answer, since they’re laying down on top of the bed together soon enough. He just manages to catch a glimpse of Iron Jr before that happens. ]
I hope so, too. And we’ll probably have to share little Iron with my soldiers.
[ They miss him too, after all. For now, however, Jinwoo doesn’t feel like introducing them to Lapis. It’s a moment for just the two of them. ]
I wasn’t going anywhere either, it just… happened. I wouldn’t leave [ You. ] The base and you without saying anything. If I were to tell you everything that happened, one night might not be enough.
[ He’s not even exaggerating. Nonetheless, Jinwoo takes a deep breath and tries to gather his thoughts. ]
Maybe I should start from the end. Back in my world, I got the chance to turn back time by ten years. That way… I could correct some of my mistakes. Save more people. They wouldn’t remember me, but that’s not important as long as they are alive and happy.
[ Not even this change she can sense in Jinwoo will shift how she feels towards him - he's still Jinwoo, and he's still someone she's come to care for a lot. Maybe a lot more than she was expecting, considering how deeply she missed him and just how relieved she is now, to hold him like this.
But right now she'll focus on this, on him, lips brushing against his hair as she hums softly. ]
Once I get better at knitting, maybe I can make a less little Iron.
[ She won't mind sharing him with the soldiers, she can only imagine how much they must miss him. Though as long as he's happy now, she won't let herself dwell on that.
And while it does worry her how he just... vanished like that, she'll try not to focus on that either. He came back and that's the important thing here, even as her brows furrow faintly. ]
Well, I don't mind spending a few nights like this. There's no need to rush. [ Though she goes quiet as he gathers his thoughts, her brows only furrowing all the more as she listens. He was able to turn back time? And if these people didn't remember him... ]
I kind of hope that we can get a lot of downtime, then.
[ This is going to age like milk when they're sent to Vegas. But Jinwoo doesn't have to worry about that for now. Honestly, with Lapis so close, he can finally fully relax. ]
Don't worry too much about it, though. They'll be fine.
[ Deep down, they all understand that Iron should get the chance to live his life as a human, even if they miss his presence. ]
A few nights? [ Jinwoo lets out a soft chuckle. ] I don't think I'm getting any sleep tonight, so maybe one night will be enough. But...
[ He trails off and never mentions that he wouldn't mind spending a few nights like this without any reason in particular. ]
Yes. I... I'm not sure why I thought that it would affect you all the way here. [ After voicing that thought Jinwoo understands how ridiculous it was. ] After that happened, I spent... some time fighting the Monarchs.
[ Some time suddenly sounds much better than 27 years for some reason. ]
Explaining who the Monarchs are... I might need the dataverse for this.
[ Honestly, the more he talks, the more he realizes that showing Lapis everything that happened would be less complicated. ]
[ At least Jinwoo gets sandworm serotonin in Vegas... ]
I know, but I still want to. Though I'll need to make one for Igris first before I move onto anything bigger... And anyone new you might have.
[ If Iron has become a human now, maybe there's been a change in his soldiers. But she can ask about them later - right now she just wants to focus on Jinwoo, his chuckle prompting a faint smile of her own. ]
And I doubt I'll be sleeping either, so I can listen. [ Also she hears that trailing off. ] But... If you want to just lay like this other nights, I won't say no.
[ Teasing aside, she lets herself fall silent as she listens to him; brows raising just a little when he says some time. How long is some time, exactly... She's starting to get a better grasp of his habits, so a vague answer like that tells her it's an answer she wouldn't like to hear.
But it does seem like maybe the dataverse would be easiest for this - it would be easiest to show, rather than tell. ]
Let's try that, then. I think once I see them, I'll be able to better understand... And it'll save you spending an hour trying to explain one part of everything.
Beru alone is like a thousand soldiers. [ If not more, to be honest. ] I'll introduce you to everyone, they're... dying to meet you.
[ The pause is here because it's a bit too late when he realizes he's about to say a pun. Not that he thinks about it for too long, not after hearing that generous offer. ]
...I do.
[ It's a simple declaration followed by Jinwoo clinging to her, burying his face in the crook between her shoulder and neck. ]
Beru? [ One of the new soldiers, then. Lapis is certain she'll get to meet them later - for now the unintentional pun gets her to chuckle. Her amusement is short-lived though; Jinwoo's admission and how he clings has her blinking, concern washing through her as she tightens her arms around him. ]
We'll stay like this for as long as you want. [ She shifts, letting her cheek rest atop his head as she holds him close.
And as she falls silent for a moment, an idea comes to mind. ]
... I'm no good at telling stories, but I could sing a little, if that would help.
What do you mean, I'm looking forward to the adventures of Princess in Pancakeland.
[ There's a press of her lips against Jinwoo's hair as she teases, before she thinks; considering what song...
Lapis still mostly felt confident in singing in Italian, and after remembering one song her sister had asked her to sing before, she decides to pick that. With a gentle clearing of her throat, she starts to sing. ]
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no subject
Those thoughts don't ease how much his absence ached, don't soothe just how much she misses him; and she couldn't even properly confess to him in the end either. But she tries to keep herself busy, tries to keep herself distracted during sleepless nights where she would've gone to him. But the pang is always there, impossible to ignore - honestly, times like this she wishes she could get drunk, at least to numb that feeling a little.
So she's surprised on another sleepless night that she picks up on a presence nearby, familiar but also not, and there's very little hesitation in answering the door when that heavy knock lands on it. Golden eyes blink up at Jinwoo, the relief in seeing him again so strong that she almost tears up. Almost, as his question just throws her for a loop. Why is he asking that... ]
What? Of course I do, what are you... [ No, no something is different. This is still Jinwoo, but there's been a change to him - death clings to him more heavily than before, as if it's become a part of him.
Her hand reaches for his, pulling him into her room - and once the door closes, she tugs him over to sit next to her on her bed, concern radiating off her. There must be a reason why he asked that, a reason behind this change. ]
What happened, Jinwoo?
no subject
What happened? He doesn't understand it himself. One moment he was there, the other he wasn't, and now he's back. That makes him wonder how much time has passed since they've seen each other. ]
I... I was gone, right? For how long?
[ He's going to explain as much as he can, but he still needs a moment to gather his thoughts. ]
A lot... happened. You can tell that something is different about me, can't you?
no subject
Mmhm, a couple of days. I noticed something was wrong when I couldn't sense Iron in my shadow anymore, and then I couldn't sense you either...
[ It still makes her heart twist, thinking about his absence. But he's here now and that's what matters. ]
I can, yes. It feels like... death covers you more than before. [ Like he's seeped in it. Though it doesn't change how she feels about him, besides concern about what's happened. ]
no subject
[ It's not exactly reassuring, but Jinwoo is aware that it could have been worse. If he glitched out for a month or two all of a sudden, stripped off the chance to tell her that he'll be back no matter what— ]
I'm sorry. [ Jinwoo told her repeatedly to not apologize about things out of her control, but he might be terrible at listening to his own advice. ] I didn't mean to worry you.
[ The deep sigh that follows might seem like he has some bad news to share, but when he gazes up at Lapis, his lips are slightly curved up in a faint smile. ]
Iron... I'm sorry, but you won't see him again. [ His expression becomes somewhat apologetic. ] I hope he's happier now that he lives as a human again, though. As for me...
[ Where does he even begin? Jinwoo presses his forehead against her shoulder again and takes a deep breath. ]
I'm fine. Different, but fine.
no subject
Remember what you told me, never apologise for things out of your control. [ And it looks like there's a lot on his mind. The last thing she wants is for him to worry about this too. ] I'm just happy to see you again.
[ She missed him greatly, in those last few days. But she doesn't want to bog him down with that either, especially when he sighs like that - brows furrowing in concern. ]
Ah... [ Iron is human again... She's glad for that, she really is, but she still feels her heart sink. ] Mm, I'll miss him. But I hope his life as a human again is a happy one. And -
[ She trails off, glancing towards her desk. There sits a little Iron, almost fully knitted together. ] - We'll have little Iron, at least.
[ And as for Jinwoo, she glances over as his head thumps against her shoulder, watching him for a moment. Then her arms tighten around him, gently motioning him to lay on the bed next to her; keeping his head tucked against her shoulder. ]
As long as you're fine, that's what matters. There's no rush to tell me everything, I'm not going anywhere.
no subject
[ Still, maybe it was worth it, even if just for that huff. Maybe it’s a little unfair on his end to not mention it, but Jinwoo wants to see if Lapis will treat him the same way as before, even if she’s noticed the change already. Jinwoo doesn’t have to wait too long for an answer, since they’re laying down on top of the bed together soon enough. He just manages to catch a glimpse of Iron Jr before that happens. ]
I hope so, too. And we’ll probably have to share little Iron with my soldiers.
[ They miss him too, after all. For now, however, Jinwoo doesn’t feel like introducing them to Lapis. It’s a moment for just the two of them. ]
I wasn’t going anywhere either, it just… happened. I wouldn’t leave [ You. ] The base and you without saying anything. If I were to tell you everything that happened, one night might not be enough.
[ He’s not even exaggerating. Nonetheless, Jinwoo takes a deep breath and tries to gather his thoughts. ]
Maybe I should start from the end. Back in my world, I got the chance to turn back time by ten years. That way… I could correct some of my mistakes. Save more people. They wouldn’t remember me, but that’s not important as long as they are alive and happy.
no subject
But right now she'll focus on this, on him, lips brushing against his hair as she hums softly. ]
Once I get better at knitting, maybe I can make a less little Iron.
[ She won't mind sharing him with the soldiers, she can only imagine how much they must miss him. Though as long as he's happy now, she won't let herself dwell on that.
And while it does worry her how he just... vanished like that, she'll try not to focus on that either. He came back and that's the important thing here, even as her brows furrow faintly. ]
Well, I don't mind spending a few nights like this. There's no need to rush. [ Though she goes quiet as he gathers his thoughts, her brows only furrowing all the more as she listens. He was able to turn back time? And if these people didn't remember him... ]
Is... that why you asked if I knew you?
no subject
[ This is going to age like milk when they're sent to Vegas. But Jinwoo doesn't have to worry about that for now. Honestly, with Lapis so close, he can finally fully relax. ]
Don't worry too much about it, though. They'll be fine.
[ Deep down, they all understand that Iron should get the chance to live his life as a human, even if they miss his presence. ]
A few nights? [ Jinwoo lets out a soft chuckle. ] I don't think I'm getting any sleep tonight, so maybe one night will be enough. But...
[ He trails off and never mentions that he wouldn't mind spending a few nights like this without any reason in particular. ]
Yes. I... I'm not sure why I thought that it would affect you all the way here. [ After voicing that thought Jinwoo understands how ridiculous it was. ] After that happened, I spent... some time fighting the Monarchs.
[ Some time suddenly sounds much better than 27 years for some reason. ]
Explaining who the Monarchs are... I might need the dataverse for this.
[ Honestly, the more he talks, the more he realizes that showing Lapis everything that happened would be less complicated. ]
no subject
I know, but I still want to. Though I'll need to make one for Igris first before I move onto anything bigger... And anyone new you might have.
[ If Iron has become a human now, maybe there's been a change in his soldiers. But she can ask about them later - right now she just wants to focus on Jinwoo, his chuckle prompting a faint smile of her own. ]
And I doubt I'll be sleeping either, so I can listen. [ Also she hears that trailing off. ] But... If you want to just lay like this other nights, I won't say no.
[ Teasing aside, she lets herself fall silent as she listens to him; brows raising just a little when he says some time. How long is some time, exactly... She's starting to get a better grasp of his habits, so a vague answer like that tells her it's an answer she wouldn't like to hear.
But it does seem like maybe the dataverse would be easiest for this - it would be easiest to show, rather than tell. ]
Let's try that, then. I think once I see them, I'll be able to better understand... And it'll save you spending an hour trying to explain one part of everything.
no subject
[ The pause is here because it's a bit too late when he realizes he's about to say a pun. Not that he thinks about it for too long, not after hearing that generous offer. ]
...I do.
[ It's a simple declaration followed by Jinwoo clinging to her, burying his face in the crook between her shoulder and neck. ]
I'll make a room in a moment. Just...
[ Let him stay like this for a while. ]
no subject
We'll stay like this for as long as you want. [ She shifts, letting her cheek rest atop his head as she holds him close.
And as she falls silent for a moment, an idea comes to mind. ]
... I'm no good at telling stories, but I could sing a little, if that would help.
no subject
I'm no good at it either. [ It's impossible not to recall his last attempt. ] But I'd love to hear you sing.
[ Her voice is so soothing whenever she speaks, so he can only imagine how nice Lapis' singing voice is. ]
no subject
[ There's a press of her lips against Jinwoo's hair as she teases, before she thinks; considering what song...
Lapis still mostly felt confident in singing in Italian, and after remembering one song her sister had asked her to sing before, she decides to pick that. With a gentle clearing of her throat, she starts to sing. ]