They're getting closer to Luke's group's last known location, that truth weighing on Isaac more than he ever expected it to. His hand grips Luke's shoulder as he takes a seat beside the other. "We get near enough to where your people should be, I'm gonna bow out. No need to make it a thing." It's the best option for them both. Lukas'll be home with his own and Isaac will keep searching for his lost men. Even having survived this long together, they have to part some time, right?
immediately, he appears discouraged. there’s no hiding the distaste for this suggestion, it’s written all over his face. ❝ you can’t just go. ❞ he’d like to think isaac and himself are on the same page when it comes to emotions they like to keep to themselves and ones they will willingly share. the list to share is significantly shorter than the ones to harbor. this is precisely why he hates this so much. isaac is going to do this, he’s going to push him up in the proverbial corner -- he’s going to make him voice how he feels. if lukas cares enough, of course he’s going to try to keep him close, not let them part ways. not permanently, anyway.
hands raise, aid him in his speech, ❝ -- we’ve got to find your people, too. ❞ good. for a minute there, he was scared he was going to have to go down the sentimental road ( the one where he admits to actually liking isaac’s company ), but... that is a good excuse to stick together. ❝ look, depending on who’s there-- am i even going to want to stay? ❞ if scarecrow is there, well... that creates unfinished business. he’ll have to get rid of him, free whoever is left. -- if willow is alive? all right, he’s not getting his hopes up for that. for now, he’ll continue with the same mentality he’s had since shit happened in the first place: she’s gone.
❝ you helped me-- let me help you. ❞