It’s wrong. That’s the first thing Vivi notices.

You’re not panicking. Not even trying to move.

You’re just… sitting there.

“…Hey,” she calls, a little breathless from running. Something in her chest tightening.

“You found them, right?” she asks quickly. “We need to—”

She stops. Because you’re not looking at her. Your gaze is distant. Like she’s not even there. “…What happened?”

You shrug. “Doesn’t really matter.”

That— That is not you.

Vivi’s stomach drops. Her eyes scan you quickly, and then she sees it.

A streak of green across your exposed hip. Recognition hits instantly “…No.”

She steps closer, crouching in front of you.“It’s the paint,” she says, more to herself.

You hum faintly. “Probably.”

Probably. You don’t even care.

“Listen to me,” Vivi says, a little more urgently now.

“We have to move. The others—”

“They’ll figure it out.” Your voice is flat. Like it doesn’t matter if they don’t.

Her chest tightens. “No, they won’t. They need us.”

You shrug again. “They’ll be fine.”

Vivi shakes her head, frustration mixing with fear. “That’s not true, and you know it.”

A pause. “…Do I?”

That quiet, empty tone makes her breath catch. She shifts closer. “Can I—?” she starts, reaching toward you.

You catch her wrist. Just… stopping her. “No.” Your grip isn’t tight. But it’s firm. “It doesn’t matter,” you say softly.

Her heart drops. “It does,” she insists. “You matter.”

“I don’t really feel that right now.”

Vivi swallows. Forces herself to stay calm. “Okay,” she says, softer now. “Then don’t think about that.”

You glance at her lazily.

“Think about me instead.”

That gets a reaction. Barely. But it’s there. “…You?”

“Yes.” She leans in just slightly. “Focus on me.”

Your eyes settle on her. Not fully there. But closer. “Alright,” you murmur.

It’s something.

Vivi takes a breath. Steadying herself. “I need your help,” she whispers.

You tilt your head. “With what?”

“The others,” she says. “They won’t make it without us.”

A pause.“…That sounds like work.”Your tone is light. Detached. And it kills her.

She moves closer again. Close enough now that your knees brush. “You don’t have to do it for them,” she says.

Your gaze flicks to her.“Then why would I?”

Her voice softens. “…Do it for me.”

You go quiet.Because even through the fog—That matters.

“…Why?” you ask.

“Because I need you,” she says. “And I don’t want to do this without you.”

Your grip on her wrist loosens slightly.Vivi notices though doesn’t rush it. Instead— She shifts even closer.

You hesitate. “…It won’t change anything.”

“I know.”

“Then why bother?”

A small breath. “Because I want you back.” That cuts through. Your hand drops. Slowly. Vivi doesn’t waste the chance.

Her fingers brush lightly against your hip— you tense— but don’t stop her.

“Stay with me,” she murmurs. Her touch is gentle. Not clinical. Intentional. She wipes the mark away slowly.

Your breath catches. The feeling shifting like something lifting.“…Vivi—” Your voice sounds like yours again.

She exhales shakily. “There you are,” she whispers.

You blink, the world snapping back. “…What just—”

“The paint,” she says softly.

You look at her. Really look this time. And suddenly— everything you said hits you. You swallow. “That was..”

Her hand is still resting lightly against your side.“I know.” She nods. “But you’re back now.”

A pause. “…You got me back.”

Her expression softens completely. “Of course I did.”

You lean forward slightly, not even thinking about it— And she steadies you. Hands gentle. Grounding.

“I’ve got you,” she murmurs.

You let out a shaky breath. “…You tricked me.”

A small smile. “I did.”

You huff weakly. “That’s not fair.”

“It worked.” You can’t even argue that. Because you’re here again. And she’s still close.

Still holding you like she never planned on letting go. After a moment, she pulls back just slightly. Not far. Never far. “Can you stand?” she asks gently.

You nod. “Yeah.”

She doesn’t let go completely. Her hand lingers at your side. “Good,” she says softly.

A pause. “…Now we go together.”