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046

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You were left in utter disbelief. Your eyes widened in shock as you stared at Xeno, the weight of his words sinking in. Without thinking, you stepped forward, gripping his shoulders tightly.

"You don't mean that...? Do you have any idea how long I've waited to see you idiots... and now you're doing this to me..." Your voice trembled, desperation lacing every word. You hoped the physical contact would ground him, bring him back to his senses.

But Xeno remained silent, his gaze averted. After a moment, he gently removed your hands from his shoulders, stepping back.

"I mean it, Y/n. Have I ever joked about anything?"

His tone was calm, but the firmness in his voice was undeniable. He looked at you, eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and resolve.

"You don't belong to this world, Y/n. I can't let this world taint you. So go."

His voice softened, almost a whisper, but the impact was no less devastating.

You stood there, speechless. Questions swirled in your mind, but the more silence he offered, the more your heart ached. Tears welled up in your eyes, spilling over as you whispered, "Xeno..."

Still, he said nothing. The room felt colder, the distance between you growing with each passing second.

Stanley, who had been observing the exchange, let out a sigh. "Stan... give me your boot, I'm gonna sort this idiot out..." You wiped your tears, a calm determination settling over your features.

Before you could act, Xeno stepped forward, gently grabbing your wrist. "Don't make me regret this, Y/n." His voice was steady, but there was an underlying plea, a hint of vulnerability.

He guided you towards the door, his grip firm yet gentle. Upon reaching it, he released your wrist and opened the door. You turned to face him, searching his eyes for any sign of hesitation, any indication that he might change his mind.

But his expression remained stoic.

"So that's it?"

He remained indifferent.

You couldn't believe your eyes

You let out a painful chuckle

"Has being petrified messed with you so bad that you don't even see me as family anymore...?" you spat, your voice cracking under the weight of disbelief.

Xeno stood there, just a few feet away, but it felt like miles. His expression faltered—just slightly—but he quickly masked it behind that same cold, impenetrable front he'd worn since the moment you saw him again. He didn't answer.

You took a step closer, eyes burning with a mixture of sorrow and fury. "Because that's what we were, right? A family. Me, you, Stan—we were a team. I had your back through everything, even when I didn't understand your choices. But now..."

Your voice dropped to a whisper, trembling. "Now you look at me like I'm some stranger. Like I never mattered."

Xeno finally exhaled, slow and deliberate, but still said nothing. He turned his face away, and that simple gesture so cold, so distant, it felt like a dagger.

You let out a bitter laugh. "Unbelievable. I came all this way, fought through chaos and pain, because I thought—no, I knew—you were alive. And not once did I ever think you wouldn't want me to find you."