[ live towards, huh. the distinction doesn't escape his notice, hand finally easing up on its tension only to tug thorns sharply forward. he looks at him directly, eyes almost dull. maybe this is the timeline to push things to their limit. when they're free from all their other obligations and responsibilities, isn't that when they can truly live? ]

It feels like things keep getting in my way. The compass, this mission. I keep causing trouble for you even though I'd promised to make you happy.

[ he realises he's being a little insane, more than a little insane, but that just comes with the territory when thorns has offered practically no pushback to any of his episodes thus far. his fists ball into thorns' shirt, forehead resting against his chest. ]

If all we need is each other, why can't we do now? To wherever our feet will go, intil the end of time itself catches up to us. We can stop by Yan, Siracusa, Laterano. Make our way around Victoria and Siesta then stop by Rhodes if you really need to.

[ resigning from his squad was one thing. he'd wrapped up most of his major duties, and while inconvenient, they'd manage. but abandoning the compass when he'd been the one to start it is a new level of unhinged that he doesn't think will slip past mantra. the moment she pins him down, looks into his mind or assesses his psyche—it's over. ]

We'll have to be fast…

[ mumbling. so much of this has been to himself more than thorns. ]