[attr="class","littlejay"] Of course, Cillian Quinn would be able to read his thoughts without him having to say it.

[break][break] His gaze turns to his mentor, something kind and compassionate in his gaze. Something that he wouldn't be able to put in words, even if he'd been able to say them outloud.

[break][break] "I suppose... I've never thought about it." Just like how he'd never thought about what it would be like to be without them, be without Gavin and Rocket. The months he had spent in Galar after his parents' funeral, lost and hopeless without direction. He would never forget them.

[break][break] But in a different way, Kanto had taught him a lot as well. How to stand up on his own, how to forge a path that was not simply following in the footsteps of others.

[break][break] How did he feel now that her parents were dead? Were they even dead?

[break][break] His fingers prickle, and he stares down at them. "... I have a confession."

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[attr="class","littlejay"] Confession.

[break][break] The moment he says it, he regrets it. It makes it sound more serious than it is.

[break][break] "Sorry - I didn't mean it like that." He takes a breath — he should just spit it out. It's not that serious. Even if it feels like it. His fingers curl against his chest briefly, as if he can feel the physical weight on his chest.

[break][break] "When I went to Kanto, my father wasn't there." He hadn't gone back to Kanto on purpose — it had been on assignment. He was sure Gavin knew that. But still... he could not help but wonder if that somehow, Dmitri had made it back to Kanto, unscathed. "I..."

[break][break] How was it possible that a man like Dmitri was dead? Something as simple like death... that could have never escaped him.

[break][break] Jayden looks up at Gavin then, something unreadable in his gaze. "My parents are dead."

[break][break] He swallows.

[break][break] "But their bodies were never found."

[break][break]

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[attr="class","littlejay"] Gavin is being logical. Jayden knows it, he knows, and yet he cannot help the itching sensation he feels whenever he thinks about his father and what his "death" means.

[break][break] Why can't he accept it?

[break][break] "It's not that." The idea of either of his parents fleeing Rocket was laughable. They bled Rocket as much as he did, arguably even more so.

[break][break] "I just feel like..." He stares down at the crystallized flowers before them, shimmering beneath the afternoon sun. They glisten bright and clear, tempting to touch. "I can't believe it. Because I didn't see it with my own eyes, his death feels... unreal." He frowns.

[break][break] Dmitri seemed like something beyond death. Even if there was such a thing.

[break][break] He sighs, finally looking up at Gavin. "Sorry. I know I'm not making sense."

[break][break]

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[attr="class","littlejay"] The truth sinks into Jayden like claws in his neck. Cillian Quinn is right — almost painfully so.

[break][break] Despite whatever reservations he felt, whatever doubts he had at his parents' missing corpses, he knew that - should they have had the means - they would've returned. Perhaps the same could've been said by any of their other losses, such as SILAS BLACKWELL or cadis von klaussner.

[break][break] Blood ran deep — and Rocket loyalty even moreso.

[break][break] "You're right," he says, with a nod. He blinks, as if something just occurs to him. "By the way — I don't remember if I told you. I live in Sootopolis now — would you like to come by sometime?"

[break][break] Perhaps he could make him a tray of cookies, like he did last time.

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