"I'll try," he promises, and smiles faintly, if sadly. "I've got a different Steve to keep an eye on. So I gotta be in good shape to do that." He just hopes that works out as well as this one has. That people in his world will like him. That he doesn't fuck it all up somehow. "I know you'll take good care of this one for me."
"I'll try," she echoes. "You old antiques from the 40s with your super solider serums and shit are pains in the ass, but I seem to like that or something. You don't gotta worry about the Steve here. I'm gonna make sure he graduates and figures out what he wants, and then... I'll go home, too."
She can't avoid Joel and those conversations forever.
"You can see your person. And your girl." He nods. He's sure Joel will just be happy to see her. Proud of her, for helping people, for saving her world. Surely he couldn't be anything else. He would be. "I'll be rooting for you from. Across the universe somewhere."
And he's pretty sure if he stays any longer he really is going to cry. He's still got Steve to say good-bye to, too. So he collects his pun books, keeping her on the corner of his eye more to remember exactly what she looks like than out of the normal wariness.
She can feel her heart sink when he gathers up his things. Ellie puts down hers, and goes in for one last hug--from her to him, not caring if his hands are full.
"One more for the road. Goodbye, B. I know you'll be okay. You're one of the toughest people I've known. I'm gonna miss you like hell, but I'll be okay, too. Endure and survive is what we do."
She's glad she decided against giving him any of her Savage Starlight comics because she totally lifted that line from there. Ellie gives him a tight squeeze before letting go and turning around because if she watches him go, she'll totally cry.
He's a little trapped, which does induce a brief spike of panic, but he smothers it and worms the flesh arm out so he can curl it around her and pat her back. "I'll miss you, too. But I won't ever forget. I hope you get everything you want, Ellie. I hope you get to be happy."
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She can't avoid Joel and those conversations forever.
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And he's pretty sure if he stays any longer he really is going to cry. He's still got Steve to say good-bye to, too. So he collects his pun books, keeping her on the corner of his eye more to remember exactly what she looks like than out of the normal wariness.
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"One more for the road. Goodbye, B. I know you'll be okay. You're one of the toughest people I've known. I'm gonna miss you like hell, but I'll be okay, too. Endure and survive is what we do."
She's glad she decided against giving him any of her Savage Starlight comics because she totally lifted that line from there. Ellie gives him a tight squeeze before letting go and turning around because if she watches him go, she'll totally cry.
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