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"Desmond-- think about this. What if… I went with you?"
The question was enough to make him pause. Genuine confusion settled quickly on his face--confusion and concern, really. Sixteen, Clay, had been curled up on the ground as he approached, only really reacting once he broke the silence. A reaction that was a question. A request, maybe. Not that he blamed him, just… knowing what he knew about the guy. Hard to be okay after all that. Expected didn't mean he was just going to shrug it off, though.
"With me? Where?"
Clay reacted quickly, pushing himself the rest of the way upright. Continuing, fast paced, somewhere between eager and desperate. "It could work. Just for a while. Until I found a way out. Another body, maybe! Or, uh- I don't know."
It clicked, slowly--pieces snapping into place. Another body. With him meant with him, out of the Animus. Into… what? His body? People were compared to computers, a lot of the time, but- it felt like a stretch. The shock must have shown on his face, because Clay's tone shifted, something more solemn and quiet (but still carrying that same desperation, how long had he been here?) taking its place.
"I just-" He shook his head, motioning as he rested his elbow on his knee. "...I don't want to be here anymore."
The suggestion in of itself seemed surreal. Impossible. Still, Desmond's expression softened, shock becoming something much gentler and genuine. Maybe he was thinking too hard on this. In terms of actual interactions--they'd barely had any. The glyphs, the Truth, here on Animus Island, that was all they'd ever had. But in a way, wasn't that enough? The glyphs, the puzzles, the fact the Animus hadn't just gone and deleted him--those were all Clay. Helping some guy he didn't know, wouldn't ever even get to meet, as far as either of them had probably been concerned. All of that.
He shifted his feet, the simulated sand shifting beneath his shoes. Clay's eyes were wide with anticipation. Maybe waiting for Desmond to back out. To avoid another decision.
He could. But he wouldn't. He was tired of running.
"... Yeah. Okay." He stepped forward before doubt could set in, and offered his hand. His expression was nothing short of sincere. "I don't know how that's gonna work. But- I'm not leaving you here."
A small, sheepish smile settled on his face. "Until the end, right?"