[ As the flowers and vines recede and dissipate and exhaustion settles in, those words cover his consciousness like a heavy blanket of snow, and all Maruki can do is stare at his dear, beloved friend.

Make it a vow of happiness instead.

It's not unlike what Dolph has told him before. That he doesn't want Maruki to break his back to create a safe reality for this new life of his unless Maruki can have his own happiness too. And he'd told him then, that that's not how it works for him–

But maybe, just maybe– ]

It does make me happy.

[ Barely more than a whisper. He tips his head down, rests it against their joined hands. ]

Nothing makes me happier than remembering the people that I love. Even when it's difficult, and it hurts...

[ Maruki is not a happy person, no.

But the closest he comes to being one is when he's with the people he cares for most, even if it's only in his own mind. One day, when he returns to the true reality, that's all he'll have, and he'll hang onto that joy with a white knuckle grip.

He presses his lips to Dolph's knuckles, lingers there for a moment before looking back up, eyes a little too telltale bright and smile subdued, but entirely genuine. ]

I'll never let you go, and that has nothing to do with what I can or have to do. I promise.