“We both changed so much”
If thereis anyone Lupin is more proud of than himself, it’s Cardia. In every instance,she has grown into a human being, oneshe is meant to be, deserves to be. Lupin believes in and supports every choiceshe makes, holding onto the shreds and hopes that it will only make her hay. Heis her right-hand man, the measly knight to the enticing princess. The phrasehe mutters, his utter correspondence to follow it to the last effort, it’sreflected in multiple ways. He is hergentleman thief, forever, always, in any course of passage.
“Forreasons I cannot disclose, I have come to steal your heart.”
She isbeautiful, worthy of pure bliss, safety, unending and genuine love – given andreturned. Lupin tells himself that he will always be there for her, to steal her heart, to always grant herwishes, to love her.
But,that didn’t always work out how he planned. Feelings are fluid, untraceable.Lupin treads at the surface, difference timelines afflicting only the deepestof the subconscious, déjà vu, gloved fingers, covered frames, back-to-back; nomatter the wait, he would make it. So long as she revels in joy, he can try to convincehimself to feel the same. Her smile, just her breathing, feeling, knowing, isthe greatest gift the world can bestow. He ranks her above himself, above allelse. She’s that precious to him, to the others, to the world. How can anyonethreaten a human such as herself – attempt to strike her down? So what ifpoison courses through her veins? The only thing Cardia has done to him iscause him to fall (the window, for her, had been one time) head-over-heels for her.
“We both changed so much.”
“That’s right. I’m proudof you, Cardia.”
He watchesher fall for the alchemist, saves her, only to see her heart melt for Fran. Turmoiltakes the nation, the deep end, a grey area, a wavy line whose border is thinbetween victory and defeat – death to one, death to all, or death to none.Lupin jokes, teases, the gentle but stubborn souls click. Her smile, at leasthe could see it before he leaves her, with the promise of coming in to steal their attention later.
Van courtsher heart, terrors dispelled, London saved. The hero of the Vampire War becomesthe hero of her, a moonlight dance for two, Van is smiling, that old, stubbornteammate of his, and the girl who’s so precious, look handsome, shining, natural alongside each other. Lupin ismerely glad she didn’t become the next victim of the series of killingovertaking London.
Impeywins her, a narrow escape from the city being crushed or blown up, a journey toAmerica on their horizon. Love at first sight.The words whined all remind Lupin of the first days of Cardia’s presence. Impey is a big goofball, but he can keepher safe, antics and all. Lupin can see the love, the seriousness, and nice change in Impey.
Trustdissolves, pain ensues as the unconscious stings the most from Saint’sdeception, leaving. Lupin has to repeat to himself that Cardia’s choice is theright one… that it’s okay to continue believing in Saint… that she’ll be safe,but eyes narrow and the threads slip away. Lupin wants Cardia to be safe, forher heart to remain intact, for her to feel free. Bonds shatter, desperation,but Lupin can’t do a thing. He wants to, so badly, to prove his worst fearswrong, but the truth is something Lupin hesitates with, betrayal, Cardia –Saint, dangerous?
He seesher, hand-in-hand with Sholmes, laughing, learning, he turns away, unable tostand the sight of the smug detective. He whispers for the best for her andtakes flight. Sholmes would probably, annoyingly, know where to find him. Andher, playing with Delly, beaming, innocence, energy, Lupin laughs. Thank you,world, for giving him that sight.
But nomatter what, Cardia changes into a person of her own. Walking dreams, Lupin can’thelp but wish for a treasure that can sometimes be unattainable, the one thatcan sometimes be considered both his greatest victory, and his greatest evader.The one he rescued from the Royal Guard, from Twilight.
Hisforehead presses to hers as she beams at him. Leonhart’s voice bellows over anintercom, Saint’s Zero Temp smile is on him, but he adores her too much to lether go. Saint gives in and his fingers begin to lightly scale his piano’s keys,allowing Lupin to quietly ask Cardia for a dance, slow, careful, but they aretoo busy laughing at each other to take it all seriously, especially with astorming vice-principal. Cardia warns Lupin to try to behave himself, but hemerely twirls her in response. A world, generous, free from the binds ofsuffering, but far from the reality of themselves.
It’sfunny how the universe has to keep moving in order to give chances to everyone,to play out all the realms of possibility. Sorrow, hope, glee, all the forcesunite for, against, granting the truest struggle to every outcome. He neverremembers the results of each one, but the building is there – perhaps it’ssimilar for the others? Path after endless path, never-ending, eternal,trapping, desiring but never fulfilling.
All thetimes time cycles to death, of him, of her, of the one she loves (even if it’snot him), fate works in mysterious ways, unexplainable even to those who reallyput effort into understanding its dodgy ways. Stains of crimson dawdle anddisrupt the flow, the memories, the speed, but it all maps to them.
Fade,he shouts her name as his hand clasps around hers, pulling her close.
“I’m all right, Lupin… We’reall right.”
Shebreathes, relieved. Full dissolution, poison drifts away. Freedom, liberation,figures in the darkness turn, gloved fingers intertwine, mask off, cape and hat are discarded, all he does, forever and ever more, is for her.
I canalways… in another lifetime.
Thoughtsrattle, breathing softens as he confirms it – this girl, the one he wantsnothing more than to settle down with, the beautiful and dear princess of hisheart.
This isthat lifetime.
Thecircle, the hand, lands upon him. The most important person, her smile, forhim, secure before him, love, bliss, warmth – as long as she’s happy, as longas she feels positive progression as happened… they have both grown up, fine,dandy, alongside one another.
“Lupin, we both changedso much.”
“Yes, we have. For the better, together.”
