[Honestly, that's exactly how he's been looking at it since Dist shared it with him. Those days were obviously some of the happiest in Dist's life, but even if everything went perfectly, things are far too different now for him to ever return to it. His relationship with Jade has changed significantly and what once made him happy likely wouldn't anymore, even under the best circumstances.
It isn't really a surprise to hear this, though Iago hadn't thought Dist had been considering it already. He'd assumed Dist would want to dive back into his work after all of this is over and that someday it would come crashing down on him. It's sort of silly to think, but he's proud that Dist has already been giving it some serious thought and is coming to terms with the idea that he needs to readjust his goals.]
I understand. [Maybe not perfectly, but it's close enough.] I understand what it's like to look at everything you've worked so hard for and decide that it won't truly bring you happiness.
[Not anymore, at least. The hand at the side of Dist's face shifts back, fingers gently and tentatively running through Dist's hair.]
It isn't a decision you need to make right now. If you decide you want to finish your work on Fomicry at least, I will join you. If you decide you would prefer to leave all that behind, I'll be right here beside you. We have more freedom to choose now, after all.
[Dist allows the gesture- it feels oddly comforting.]
Yes... Yes, you would understand.
[Just weeks ago they were having a similar conversation, but on Iago's side. Dist couldn't fathom it back then—changing course from goals as lofty as Iago's—goals that he too had put years of tireless work into.
But he's realizing now that Iago came to the conclusion that he believes he is starting to come to. He just wanted happiness again, and he had convinced himself that the only way he was ever going to be happy again was if he got Jade and the Professor back.
He is happy now, though. Completely removed from all of that, he is happy. In some ways, Iago brings him more happiness than even Jade had. Iago is incredibly brilliant in his own right. But more importantly, Iago cares about him, supports him...loves him.
His smile returns, if only a little, and he nods.]
Let us discuss this again, when we're finished here. I will have made my decision by then.
[Though in the back of his mind, he is almost certain that he already has.]
[That's certainly pleased him. Dist has a lot to consider and sort through; in some ways, it's far more than Iago ever had to deal with. Leaving Nohr behind is relatively easy - Garon is going to die regardless of whether he returns or not and Nohr has nothing else to offer him. Considering what he's learned and seen here, he couldn't be happy going back to a world without all of these advancements. The only advantage Nohr has is familiarity, nothing more.
Dist has plenty of other things to deal with, and it isn't going to be an easy decision for him. The goals he has can't be replicated anywhere else. It's giving up on those dreams more than Iago has, so it's certainly going to be more difficult. But if anyone is going to be able to accomplish it, it's Dist.]
Let's do what we can to focus on survival here, then. Once we make it through this, we can sort the rest out. We've worked out so much already and we have some ideas for how to proceed; I'm certain we'll be just fine.
[There's always the possibility that they won't be, that things won't go according to plan and he's terrible at reacting to sudden changes. But he feels more confident in saying this to Dist given what they've worked out.
Besides, it would just be disappointing if they died now.]
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It isn't really a surprise to hear this, though Iago hadn't thought Dist had been considering it already. He'd assumed Dist would want to dive back into his work after all of this is over and that someday it would come crashing down on him. It's sort of silly to think, but he's proud that Dist has already been giving it some serious thought and is coming to terms with the idea that he needs to readjust his goals.]
I understand. [Maybe not perfectly, but it's close enough.] I understand what it's like to look at everything you've worked so hard for and decide that it won't truly bring you happiness.
[Not anymore, at least. The hand at the side of Dist's face shifts back, fingers gently and tentatively running through Dist's hair.]
It isn't a decision you need to make right now. If you decide you want to finish your work on Fomicry at least, I will join you. If you decide you would prefer to leave all that behind, I'll be right here beside you. We have more freedom to choose now, after all.
no subject
Yes... Yes, you would understand.
[Just weeks ago they were having a similar conversation, but on Iago's side. Dist couldn't fathom it back then—changing course from goals as lofty as Iago's—goals that he too had put years of tireless work into.
But he's realizing now that Iago came to the conclusion that he believes he is starting to come to. He just wanted happiness again, and he had convinced himself that the only way he was ever going to be happy again was if he got Jade and the Professor back.
He is happy now, though. Completely removed from all of that, he is happy. In some ways, Iago brings him more happiness than even Jade had. Iago is incredibly brilliant in his own right. But more importantly, Iago cares about him, supports him...loves him.
His smile returns, if only a little, and he nods.]
Let us discuss this again, when we're finished here. I will have made my decision by then.
[Though in the back of his mind, he is almost certain that he already has.]
no subject
[That's certainly pleased him. Dist has a lot to consider and sort through; in some ways, it's far more than Iago ever had to deal with. Leaving Nohr behind is relatively easy - Garon is going to die regardless of whether he returns or not and Nohr has nothing else to offer him. Considering what he's learned and seen here, he couldn't be happy going back to a world without all of these advancements. The only advantage Nohr has is familiarity, nothing more.
Dist has plenty of other things to deal with, and it isn't going to be an easy decision for him. The goals he has can't be replicated anywhere else. It's giving up on those dreams more than Iago has, so it's certainly going to be more difficult. But if anyone is going to be able to accomplish it, it's Dist.]
Let's do what we can to focus on survival here, then. Once we make it through this, we can sort the rest out. We've worked out so much already and we have some ideas for how to proceed; I'm certain we'll be just fine.
[There's always the possibility that they won't be, that things won't go according to plan and he's terrible at reacting to sudden changes. But he feels more confident in saying this to Dist given what they've worked out.
Besides, it would just be disappointing if they died now.]