PIXIELED - inbox

[maellum]

Comments

[maellum]

I can help you. I don't really have anything to bring.

[deprime]

Sure. I can show you how to fold up the tent and pack it all into the bag. It's an art, you know.

[maellum]

Wow. An actual tent? Not just bedrolls?

Fancy.

[deprime]

We have the time, so I thought I'd see if I still remembered how to do it. We might still end up with just the bedrolls.

[maellum]

Oh, come on. You're supposed to be smart. The smartest man in Lumière, if I recall.

I bet you're the smartest here.

[deprime]

I'm flattered and alarmed that you don't think a smart man could be outwitted by a tent.

[maellum]

I believe in you.

[deprime]

Let's see if that's still true after we get the tent set up.

[maellum]

It's always true. Like one of your laws of science.

[deprime]

Now I just have to not disprove that theory.

[maellum]

You won't. You're the only person in my life that's never let me down.

No pressure.

[deprime]

That sounds a lot like pressure, but I'll do my best.

[maellum]

You are the best. Even without trying.

You know that, right?

[deprime]

The best, huh? And you're the judge of that?

[maellum]

Yep. Do you disagree?

[deprime]

Well I can't argue with the expert, can I?

[maellum]

That's right.

I know I could have been more
I don't know. Vocal about it. Before. I'm sorry.

[deprime]

You don't have to apologise, Maelle.

You know, important things like that... we have a way of sharing them, even without knowing it.

But if you want to say it a little louder, I'm not going to argue.

[maellum]

I love you. You're the best father and/or brother anyone could ever wish for. I know I always joked about being a sad orphan, but I was the luckiest because I had you. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I'll say it in person, too. But you can keep this text to look at when I'm being a brat.

[deprime]

So you can have it in writing too:

I love you too, Maelle.

The day you landed on our doorstep is only beaten out by the day we signed that paperwork that made me your guardian. I want you to know how proud I am of you, and that I'm always going to be proud of you and the person you became. I can't take too much credit for it, but maybe just a little.

No matter what happens from here, Maelle, just remember that nothing can stop you but you, and I'll always be looking after you. In one way or another.

[maellum]

You can take most of the credit. Actually. You're the best. I would be happy to be half the person you are.

I don't ever want to feel what it's like to not have you with me ever again. And I don't ever want to have so much left unsaid between us.

So

even if you know
Brace yourself, I guess

[Oh no, why is the text blurry.]

[deprime]

You're twice the person I am, Maelle, and unfortunately, I'm not taking criticism on that. It's a parent's dream to be able to let their kids go and know that they're ready to face whatever comes next and that's how I feel.

I'm here, and I'll be here. That you can trust in. Even if you can't see me, Maelle, I'm with you.

Consider me braced for impact then.

[maellum]

I wasn't ready. I'm still not ready so please stop saying things like that.

[deprime]

I can keep them to myself. For now.

[maellum]

I'm always going to need you. No matter how old I am.