Leon then turned to Elizabeth, Nikko, and Racheal.
He studied them for a long moment, longer than necessary, as if trying to carve their faces into something permanent. Finally, he let out a quiet sigh.
"Deep down," he said, voice low, "I don't want you guys to fight. But I already know what you'll say if I try to stop you."
Elizabeth answered immediately. She always did.
"Wherever you go, Leon, we go."
She stepped closer, the resonance of his laws carefully restrained so no pressure weighed on her. Then she pinched his side.
Leon didn't flinch, but she didn't let it go at that.
"Next time you decide something like that," she said, eyes sharp but worried, "at least talk to us first."
He went silent. He knew exactly what she meant. Leaving them behind in another timeline, telling himself it was for their safety. Now that he faced it honestly, he could see how selfish it had been, not just as a captain, but as someone who planned to spend his life with them.
