I repeat myself because I do not know if you hear me the first time. [ something that would normally annoy scien, and actually still does a little, but he finds himself more understanding over eight years of forced brainwashing ] But if nothing else, I do not mind proving to you that I will be consistent. That I won't change my mind about you.

[ and his emotional landscape, however muted, does reflect the very same. scien is calm through everything, only occasionally surprised. but as he sits here with lucas, he can't find himself being shocked over any development. there is only patience, acceptance, and unconditional devotion.

'if you want me,' scien said, but he does not think it's truly a matter of if. only a matter of when lucas will be able to say so, selfishly and honestly.

there is a trickle of amusement at the mention of not being able to understand scien, and all he can do is echo lucas's statement from earlier. ]

"A person is learning for as long as they are alive," isn't it, Professeur? [ a beat ] I am still learning who I can be, with a mended heart. You are still learning who you are, with clear eyes.

Even if we never succeed, there is something worthwhile in the trying.

However strange I might be, however monstrous you could be... I am not opposed to spending the rest of my life learning alongside you. And there is nothing I could learn that would make me turn you away.

[ how could it, when scien has already seen lucas at his worst twice now, and taken his hand without fear both times? ]