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"So… what do you want, then?"
The train breezes past them, tousling her hair, ruffling his fur. His scarf's end whips in the wind, eager to follow the intercity path.
"Pardon?"
She grunts, hooking her arm out from behind the bench, straightening her relaxed physique. "I said, what do you want? Outside of all this prophecy bullshit. You know you're allowed to just, exist, right?"
His neatly folded paws twist in his lap.
"You don't have to 'serve' any of us, dude."
"Well, that is what I want."
"You sure?"
"Of course! It's my duty to serve the Lightners, so I'd like to do my best. I only hope I'm doing a good job."
She groans this time. "But you shouldn't have to worry about that, dude! You're, like… your own person."
He looks at her blankly. As if she hadn't said anything to him at all. How can he act like that? So… insensitive.
"Look, I've learned way too much about myself in the past day n' a half for you, after everything that's happened, to still think you have to be a servant, or whatever. It's not right. It's… weird."
An odd feeling, to have a claw dug into your chest, your entire livelihood dismissed so simply, for being "weird." Does she not understand?
"You're my friend. And… I don't like seeing my friend forced to do shit like this."
He can't find it in himself, nor in his heart, to be warmed by the sentiment. For the first time in his life, he feels nothing but bitter.
About what, he hasn't the luxury to admit.
"Respectfully," He smiles, teeth grit in such a way that she can tell she's struck a nerve. Even then, he tries to be nice about it. It pisses her off. "You must understand that I don't have a choice in the matter. Even if this weren't something I wanted- which, it is- the prophecy is laid out before me, before us, and meant to be fulfilled. It's what gives my life purpose. I won't take that for granted. And I'm afraid nothing you say will change that about me, Susie. I'm sorry."
"Don't- ugh. Don't apologize. I just… I'm not gonna force you to do anything for me, alright? Remember that."
His smile is soft this time, deceptively so. "Of course. You know I'd do anything for you regardless, Susie."
"Because you want to?"
His eyes shut tight, a bright, happy grin hidden behind his scarf. The rush of air left in wake of the train has blown out his fur, pure innocence rolling off his rosy cheeks in saccharine sweet waves.
"Yes." He says.
And she almost believes it.