[ power always has a cost. this is a given. his own power cost him an arm and parts of his brain. not to mention the loss of a normal life. his continued abuse at the hands of others due to his existence as a weapon. so when dolph had said that, he was coming from his own experiences.

would dolph have taken such an offer? it's still tempting, even now. he's not immune from the desire to be free. he has stepped out of the cycle of rage and betrayal, but only just. live in the fragment of a dream with alex. the alex dolph thought he was.

maruki regrets it. maruki does not. he would do it again. the anguish of doing it again is too much. so. he overcompensates.

dolph quietly takes his hand, pressing a kiss to the centre of his palm. ]

Don't do it because you have to. Don't do it because the pain of forgetting hurts you too. I don't want you to do it because you can. Or that you have the power to. None of that means anything to me.

Do it if it makes happy. Make it a vow of happiness instead.

[ he curls his fingers around maruki's own. ]

And if it makes you sad, it's okay to let me go. Because I'll still be there. In the future you exist in.