"It's been a while since Rocket — my Rocket," and his lips curl around the word, amused, "have tried anything like this. We had to go dark for a while, after Blackwell."

It had been Walsh to reveal their continued existence, one of the moves Gavin felt was instrumental in Rocket's new direction. It was strangely liberating not to hide anymore, more so now that his name was known.

"But it's not just that," he admits. "I've got a lot riding on this."

It reminds him, in a way, of Pallet.

[attr="class","beck"]they've been through this and more before but this time feels different in a way he can't quite describe. it feels heavier, as if this could very well be their last mission.

the thought has him tensing.

"we did it once."

but he exhales, relaxes.

"we'll do it again."

and again.

and again.

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn

Something in Theo's steady confidence reassures him. He focuses as much on the words as the rasp from a smoker's throat.

We. Not just Rocket, but them.

He is done feeling sorry for himself. He is done being scared.

It's more than that. I want to thrive.

He would. They would.

"As many times as it takes."

[attr="class","beck"]yes, they would.

"as many times as it takes."

he repeats it and he raises his glass to confirm it. he clinks it against merlino's, then downs the rest.

[attr="class","noodles"]Cillian Quinn