Maus’ thoughts were coming too fast for Tidus to reply ( as if he had the answers to give ) but the young man probably already knew that. he was sure Maus couldn’t contain the vexing questions any more than Tidus could answer them. all that he could do was try to calm the torrent of abstract queries, shaking his head slowly…
“ – take it easy, Maus. I know all this stuff sounds pretty complicated, but… the truth is, there’s no way for us to know what’s really gonna happen, until it does, so… just don’t worry about it! we gotta focus on stopping Sin for good. and if it doesn’t work, we try again, until it does. I don’t care what you saw; and I don’t care if you being here messes with things. whatever happens, we’ll fix it– ! ”
he was certain of that. in this confusing tangle of possibilities, it was the only thing he was sure of: that no matter what future Maus envisioned, and no matter how his presence might effect that future… in the end, they would find a way to defeat Sin. Yuna was too determined not to, and now, so was he. no prophecy, nor interference, could get in the way of their strong wills. but that very determination was tested by Maus’ questioning. his reply does not come quickly, nor easily, time passing as he considers it truthfully.
“ I… I just want everyone to know what it’s like… to be happy, you know? and I mean, really happy; no more fake laughs, and forced smiles… as long as Sin’s around, it’ll never be real– and they… she’ll never stop fighting, not for anything– not until Sin’s gone. if we end it, we end all of that. so… yeah. I guess, I would be happy. even if I’m not there to see her smile… it’s worth it. ”
Tidus was somehow able to ground himself in the flurry of confusion that came from Maus, and he was glad for it. Just focus on stopping Sin, and fix everything, right? Yeah. That was all they needed to do. Not that Maus had much longer to stick around to see to that, but...
He can see Tidus having to think a lot about the question he does pose, in the end. And so he takes it in, watching the blonde work over an answer. What he gets is genuine, and he can tell it from the tone, from the hesitation. The desire to speak correctly, honestly, to make sure he’s heard. Maybe even to convince himself of it - it’s certainly something Maus knows he’s done plenty.
And it’s the best answer, in a way - but also the worst.
“...It’d be worth it, huh? ...I guess, I can understand.” It wasn’t like Maus could stick around forever. Leaving people with smiles instead of tears was hard sometimes, though, he knew that much. He just wanted them to head towards a good future. And technically, Spira was headed to a good future, and Yuna, and everyone else.
Except the man in front of him.
They weren’t far apart, so Maus just stepped forward twice - and wrapped his arms tight around the athlete’s back. Little concern for personal space, really - just an overwhelming need to comfort - or perhaps, was it Maus who needed that comfort? Frankly he didn’t really know, nor care.
“It’s unfair, though. So unfair. You should get to smile, too.”