29

Your voice is heavy as you give Marlowe your answer. As you speak, you see their face begin to fall—but at the same time, they look at you with understanding in their eyes. There's no doubt how difficult this is for both of you, but now that you're saying it aloud, it seems to make sense.

Once you've finished, Marlowe takes a deep breath—and gives you a nod.

"Thanks for telling me, Huknock. I mean…well, obviously it's—it's difficult," they say, swallowing quickly. "But I understand; I really do. And—it's up to you, because I know it might be too hard, or too weird—but if you still want to be friends, then so do I. I mean, I always thought of us as still being friends, of course, when we were together—so if that's okay with you, then I'd like that too."

You think to yourself for a few moments, hearing nothing but Marlowe's soft breathing. Then—bringing your gaze up to meet their at last—you tell them: