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he murmured a wordless agreement, nodding, pale gaze drifting away. cortez was still lost in myriad thoughts when her question pulled him back. he stared at his sister for a long moment, trying to figure out best how to word a response. because had he been true to himself, after all this time? 

had anyone?

i suppose you could say that, yeah, he responded, giving an infinitesimal shrug. he didn't change much. he was always the more outgoing of the two of us. . .it was always gonna be that way.

but little changes. . .those had happened along the road. to everyone, not just calder. olive wouldn't know unless she saw it for herself — or saw the passing of time in her own psyche, upon reflection. they all had changed, little by little. 

cortez let his face relax into a smile, albeit one that was a bit watery around the edges. maybe he'll pop up one of these days, he mused. he didn't linger on the thought for long. it was disturbing enough having to leave his brother; a reunion might be all too much to handle. but if it would make olive happy. . .

the three of us together again, cortez chuckled. imagine that.