(SE) twist the knife, break my heart, put it back

Hotaru

Trying is all he can ask of himself, and she has likely said it to him enough times to constitute as harassment somewhere in this world. But she is not privy to his thoughts, only his actions. His words. And she gives a surprised laugh at his compliment, the likes of which she hasn't heard. "A voice of reason? I'll have to write that one down, it's certainly the first time I've ever been told that." But despite the amusement clear in her heterochromatic gaze, there is a quiet understanding that exudes from her, that reaches for his sincerity and acknowledges it and its given weight. He doesn't need to thank her, in her opinion. She knows he would do the same for her. Has done, truly.

He presents the lantern in its final glory, and she casts her artistic gaze critically upon it, and finds it quite beautiful and true to the man Peter had been. What little she'd been afforded to know of him. "It is beautiful." She can't say whether Peter would like it or not, and so doesn't attempt to say either way. Instead she trails a gentle finger over the copper-tinted glass of her own lantern, and her smile is pained. But it is the kind of pain that comes from draining poison from a wound. It hurts, but it will hurt less when it is done. "Yes...I think it's done." And she gazes upon it for a few moments more, taking strength in Sunjata's presence and clinging to memories of her lost son to keep them bright and strong within her soul.

- FIN

I'm ready to hope, swing me out of the low
Wide awake in the glow, I can't do this alone