[Yeah, unfortunately for any of Tony's sense of parenting, Ren is the same kind of stubborn bitch as many of his friends, teammates, and Tony himself. Never count him out when you're down to the wire and he's your last hope at something; it's when he does his best work.]
That's a lot of teammates.
[He can barely keep his small team safe. He has no idea how he'd handle dozens in Mementos or something. Then again, it's not like he doesn't have a bunch of friends and confidants he keeps up with...]
Are they from your future, then? Is that... strange to get used to? Having someone who knows more about your own life than you do.
[Oh. He swallows what would be the subsequent lines, such as well are you sure and maybe there's still time before he says them and derails this entire conversation. He doesn't know Tony's story. Not everywhere is like his Tokyo. Hell, it probably shouldn't be. But that's not really the point.]
They could still... tell you things, I suppose. But... if it were me, I think it would feel odd. Hearing about another life.
[He probably shouldn't linger on this, but unfortunately, this is the situation where Ren tends to thrive entirely by accident.]
Are you happy to see them again? Under better circumstances.
It's not not odd, but- [ Christ, what a loaded question. The kid doesn't even know exactly how loaded it was. All the bullshit that happened between him and the rest of the team all those years ago, how retirement turned into fixing everything for everyone (almost). ] Yeah. Yeah, I'm happy to see them again.
They- [ Tony hesitates a split second. ] They were always the best part of my life. [ Lame. ] That's not changin' just cuz I'm dead now.
[Ren is watching like he tends to do- not judgemental, just curious and gentle, sussing out the situation without bringing more than he needs to. He's good at this, letting his head tilt just slightly and his shoulders fall, putting himself together so Tony doesn't have to. This seems like the kind of thing he needs right now- an anchor, but not someone to be better than him. Just someone to keep him grounded.]
I know how you feel. If... if I thought I'd never get to see anyone I cared about again, I'd be happy to be able to get another chance.
[He gives Tony one of those gentle smiles.]
You never know what the future will hold. But you can still forge your own path forward. Make that future one you want to be part of.
Yeah. You're right, there's- [ He didn't really want to hope for this, but maybe... ] There's always a chance there could be a way back home from here, even for me.
[ Tony lets out a sound that might've been a scoff or might've been a chuckle. ] You ever think of becoming a therapist, kid? You'd be pretty good at it.
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chiming
no subject
Date: 2025-04-30 05:32 am (UTC)From:That's a lot of teammates.
[He can barely keep his small team safe. He has no idea how he'd handle dozens in Mementos or something. Then again, it's not like he doesn't have a bunch of friends and confidants he keeps up with...]
Are they from your future, then? Is that... strange to get used to? Having someone who knows more about your own life than you do.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-01 09:58 am (UTC)From:[ A beat. ] It's weird, yeah. [ Another, longer beat. ] But uh- You know. [ The kid does not know. Tony shrugs a shoulder anyway.
He realizes Ren wouldn't know a moment later. ] I'm sorta- Dead back home. So it's not like they have much about me to update me on.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-04 06:39 am (UTC)From:[Oh. He swallows what would be the subsequent lines, such as well are you sure and maybe there's still time before he says them and derails this entire conversation. He doesn't know Tony's story. Not everywhere is like his Tokyo. Hell, it probably shouldn't be. But that's not really the point.]
They could still... tell you things, I suppose. But... if it were me, I think it would feel odd. Hearing about another life.
[He probably shouldn't linger on this, but unfortunately, this is the situation where Ren tends to thrive entirely by accident.]
Are you happy to see them again? Under better circumstances.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-16 03:08 pm (UTC)From:They- [ Tony hesitates a split second. ] They were always the best part of my life. [ Lame. ] That's not changin' just cuz I'm dead now.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-27 12:51 am (UTC)From:I know how you feel. If... if I thought I'd never get to see anyone I cared about again, I'd be happy to be able to get another chance.
[He gives Tony one of those gentle smiles.]
You never know what the future will hold. But you can still forge your own path forward. Make that future one you want to be part of.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-28 10:17 am (UTC)From:[ Tony lets out a sound that might've been a scoff or might've been a chuckle. ] You ever think of becoming a therapist, kid? You'd be pretty good at it.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-02 05:28 am (UTC)From:People give me a lot of credit. I just think they need someone to talk to.
[But also hahaha maybe he has some bad associations with counseling and therapy that surely will not follow him into adulthood.]
People lean on each other. So if I can help with that, then I'm happy.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-04 06:35 pm (UTC)From:But seriously, thanks for talking to your old-ass roommate.
no subject
Date: 2025-06-12 05:10 am (UTC)From:Of course. We have to look out for each other. Besides... I think I owe you one. Or a lot. For being so cool with uh, me and Akechi, so. Anytime.