The entire family ffell silent, Lloyd's mother gaping at her son. Finally, one word broke the silence.
"Lloyd." an almost inaudible whisper from between Cecile's lips made Lloyd turn to her. He cautiously stepped forward and reached out for her again but her hands came up to hold his forearms, stopping him from embracing her. The scientist's eyes grew sad again but he didn't stop trying to embrace her, placing his hands on her shoulders and trying to pull her closer, into his embrace.
"You…you wouldn't have said those things if you didn't mean them or thought them. No-nobody can force you to say something like that about somebody you've been with for so many years..." Lloyd's grip on her shoulders tightened as she tried to pull away again and his eyes clenched shut, his head turning to the side.
"No!" it was a harsh whisper "No. Cecile! Please, I don't mean any of those things. I don't want to hurt you." he came closer, ignoring her resisting hands. "Cecile." his voice was strained and cracked saying her name.
"I know." Said she, her voice raising a bit as she smiles up at him a bit, tears in her eyes. "I know you say you don't mean it but deep down I feel that I really am a nuesence to you. And you feel it too...I was kinda surprised though. You've always thought of people as just another part of your expeariments. Like Suzaku and Lancelot. I guess I've always know that this day would come but I just..." she trailed off again, her demeanor crumbling, and her tears falling hot and fast over her cheeks. "I just never expected it to hurt like this." she said between sobs. She lowered her head, her bangs shielding her eyes.
Lloyd just shook his head, panicked by her tears. His family was looking on in an almost pitying state, his mother finally understanding exactly why the girl was with her son now. Lloyd shook his head harder as she began to pull away. He tried to follow her, still reaching and Cecile did take his hand for a moment. She pressed it to her cheek and turned her nose into his palm, ciolet eyes slipping open and looking up at him gently. Lloyd's heart began to pound faster as the light danced around her and her realized how beautiful she was. He was about to put his other hand to her face but she pulled back abruptly.
Her soft voice reached his ears. "I'll see you tomorrow." He watched her go, contemplating chasing after her. His heart beat fast and it almost felt like it was cracked in half. He felt a little better knowing that she would be there the next day but he felt the panic rise again, his heart raced, and his palms became clammy. He felt his brother's hand on his shoulder and he looked up, eyes pathetic.
"It's going to be okay." He said. Lloyd gave him a disbelieving look and he let out a strangled laugh. "I know it doesn't seem like it now but I know you. And you'll find some way to get her back." Lloyd just bowed his head and quietly asked his family if they were ready to head to his house for the night. They all nodded silently and followed him.
