[Ikki arches an eyebrow at that. Marco tried to make it sound differently? He can't really believe that, or rather, he can believe that but can't think that he was being serious. Not more than how serious Ikki is when he thinks that no one gives a damn about him, which today has been proved to be a complete lie, something which still manages to shock him.

So he hums, smiling a bit at the fierce loyalty that shows in Selphie's face. It's still ironic how one can be so blessed in this cursed world, but he won't complain and instead hugs her, burying his face in her hair.]

Hn, he probably was just teasing. Or in denial. Or too angry with me being gone. Or being defensive. Or everything at once. If anyone here knows that I wouldn't go back easily or by my own will alone it's him. I promised him to fight to defeat time and space, after all.

[Unfortunately, on the first round it seems he lost. Unless his return here was something he actually achieved by being stubborn enough. He can't remember any details besides the pulling back and forth, he knows he tried to resist but it's hard to do so when your whole being is basically nothing but atoms spreaded around.]

If you really want to get to him, though, I can sense him on the galley.