things i wish i didn’t know

we live in a world someone else imagined

”Mm, I suppose it is,” Ronin agreed with a smirk, nodding to the other man. The mention of Seren had him looking up, a prick of guilt in his expression. ”Yes,” he said slowly, ”...and no, as well.” It was difficult to say, Ronin shaking his head as if to dislodge the thoughts. ”She arrived to me as a toddler. I never knew her... like you know Azrael,” he explained as best he could. ”And she grows so quickly. She must look like she’s in her mid-teens by now. I couldn’t protect her from the world if I tried - she’ll be exploring it on her own before I know it.”

He didn’t know if that was a good explanation or not, or if it made him a bad father, but Ronin could only be honest. Same as he was honest with Bastien’s next question. Smirking, he nodded to the Ascended. ”Of course. We all change, but... yes. I am not the same man who first came to Caido.” It wasn’t a bad thing, but it didn’t make it any less true.

Listening with interest as he explained about Ludo, about his wish to make a lantern for Rex, Ronin hummed out a note of curiosity. ”Vanya appeared last year, for Saiden. He put a lantern out for her, even though she was in the sky. Ludo must have produced a memory of her for him. So... it might be worth it, even if it’s just to show Azrael your favourite parts of their mother.”

the dark star