@redclaire sent: a goodbye hug college verse 👀
→ from this meme.
This is always the hardest part of visiting, Chris feels, but Claire’s going to have classes again and Chris can’t park in her life forever, even if he really fucking wants to. It’s been a good weekend, though, and he’s happy she’s adjusting as well to her classes as she is. She has friends (but that’s not surprising), and her grades have been good (also not surprising), and while the college she goes to isn’t the fanciest, she seems to genuinely, really enjoy it there.
He wishes he could say the same about the Air Force, but he doesn’t touch on it much in their conversations for a reason. Besides, none of that shit matters nearly as much to him as making sure Claire is okay does.
“I’ll write you,” Chris promises, as if he’s ever broken from that routine since leaving home. Phonecalls aren’t forbidden or anything, sure, but Chris can never talk long the way he can in a letter, and it always feels like he’s never gotten enough of Claire when they have them. “And, hey-- take care of that vest, all right?” Chris’ chest puffs up. “I worked really hard on it.”
He doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t want to get on the bus and leave. He wants to see Claire grow, and to know about everything she does, and to make sure she’s okay at all times.
She will be all right though. She’s too brilliant not to be. (And when push comes to shove, it’s not like Chris taught her to defend herself in high school for nothing.)
Chris takes in a deep breath, fingers flexing over the strap of his backpack. “Okay.” She’s gonna be fine, Redfield. Come on. Don’t cry in front of your sister. “One more hug for the road and I’m gone, I promise.”
But if he hugs her a little too tight, well. Claire is probably used to that by now.