[ Liar, Twelve thinks. The corners of his lips curl ever higher, silently conveying that he sees right through Nine -- this time, anyway.
Does he think about what he does and doesn't deserve? The latter, certainly, after they had escaped the Settlement and learned of what they lacked as well as what they carried that others-- others with normal lives-- did not. The former is a bit muddier. In the past, he had often been teased by the tendrils of wistfulness, of something like envy, only distant and without any real desire to steal. He'd never think, I deserve that.
More recently, he thinks of what Nine deserves. Peace. It's a conclusion Twelve came to years ago, and it's the reason why Twelve, despite wanting to connect with another soul, is ready to accompany Nine to hell for their self-appointed task. Peace will not be obtainable for Nine until he exposes the truth about the Athena Project.
And Twelve thinks he understands. He doesn't, not completely. Sometimes he entertains thoughts of the both of them burying this project and spending the remainder of their limited time with the rest of society, just like everyone else, but he knows that neither of them can ever be "just like everyone else."
Still, it'd probably be nice.
After a brief lapse in conversation, he says, ]
Of course I do. There's no one else to carry the slack.
no subject
Does he think about what he does and doesn't deserve? The latter, certainly, after they had escaped the Settlement and learned of what they lacked as well as what they carried that others-- others with normal lives-- did not. The former is a bit muddier. In the past, he had often been teased by the tendrils of wistfulness, of something like envy, only distant and without any real desire to steal. He'd never think, I deserve that.
More recently, he thinks of what Nine deserves. Peace. It's a conclusion Twelve came to years ago, and it's the reason why Twelve, despite wanting to connect with another soul, is ready to accompany Nine to hell for their self-appointed task. Peace will not be obtainable for Nine until he exposes the truth about the Athena Project.
And Twelve thinks he understands. He doesn't, not completely. Sometimes he entertains thoughts of the both of them burying this project and spending the remainder of their limited time with the rest of society, just like everyone else, but he knows that neither of them can ever be "just like everyone else."
Still, it'd probably be nice.
After a brief lapse in conversation, he says, ]
Of course I do. There's no one else to carry the slack.