[ Promises, promises. Claude listens to the torrential downpour of gentle reminders that they have a future together, however limited, and he has to duck his head down and breathe a sigh into his lapel.

His nerves are fraying. It scares him to be happy, but he's lost his ability to run. ]

...A give-and-take? It sounds like any given Tuesday.

[ He knows that's not what she means, and he knows she means well. In a way, he does, too.

She doesn't want someone who accepts everything because it's there. If she did, she'd choose anyone but Claude. and he knows it. ]

Across time, and across dimensions. We've chosen a difficult partnership, haven't we.

[ He pulls Iona closer, until she's firmly nestled into his chest. ]

I'll have to make sure you don't forget me.