[ Minato was Lupin's biggest regret. Yes, he saved Cairngorm -- and yes, he saved London, and Cardia, too, once he got back. But he didn't save Minato. And for Lupin, that nearly cancels out all the rest. Not to say that he isn't relishing his triumphs and what they brought; he's nurturing Cairngorm as they adjust to life in the human world, enjoying the proof that their bond is strong enough to weather all these hardships, and he's been helping Cardia settle in with her brother, as well, although she's become so independent now that it's almost shocking to remember the doll-like girl she was when he met her. These things are good - wonderful, even, and he can start every day with a smile knowing the two of them are safe and healthy and on their way to happy.
That doesn't mean that he doesn't remember the one that he left behind every time he looks at that strange futuristic music box he brought back with him from Chroma. It's not the first time that Lupin's let someone close to him die, and he's sure it won't be the last, either -- but it stings all the same. He broke his promise. He should have been able to change Minato's fate. As things stand, all he can do is remember his friend, and pray that when he's born in this world, his destiny plays out differently.
Or so he thought.
He barely sees and recognizes Minato before he realizes he's in trouble standing in the middle of the road like that; luckily, Lupin's reflexes are faster than his brain, and they'll be damned if they aren't saving Minato this time. It's a somewhat less-than-graceful rescue for the daring gentleman thief - he essentially just grabs Minato by the collar and yanks him backwards into the sidewalk as a loud, steam-puffing automobile zips by where he was - but the important part is that neither of them are pancakes on the road, and Minato is here and alive? ]
-- You haven't changed a whit, have you? [ is all he can think to say as he stumbles back, feeling a little out of breath despite how little he's actually done. ]
THREE MONTHS LATER i'm so sorry cal i love you
That doesn't mean that he doesn't remember the one that he left behind every time he looks at that strange futuristic music box he brought back with him from Chroma. It's not the first time that Lupin's let someone close to him die, and he's sure it won't be the last, either -- but it stings all the same. He broke his promise. He should have been able to change Minato's fate. As things stand, all he can do is remember his friend, and pray that when he's born in this world, his destiny plays out differently.
Or so he thought.
He barely sees and recognizes Minato before he realizes he's in trouble standing in the middle of the road like that; luckily, Lupin's reflexes are faster than his brain, and they'll be damned if they aren't saving Minato this time. It's a somewhat less-than-graceful rescue for the daring gentleman thief - he essentially just grabs Minato by the collar and yanks him backwards into the sidewalk as a loud, steam-puffing automobile zips by where he was - but the important part is that neither of them are pancakes on the road, and Minato is here and alive? ]
-- You haven't changed a whit, have you? [ is all he can think to say as he stumbles back, feeling a little out of breath despite how little he's actually done. ]