[This wasn't the first time Ion's heard Luke say this to him. There was no way he could have known. Ion hadn't been quite that detailed in explaining what happened the day, after all.]
[It was different hearing those words now, when Luke's voice was calm and clear rather than desperate and sad. But that didn't make them any less powerful; on the contrary, they almost seemed more so. Ion would always be Ion. No matter what happens in the future, that's something that will never change. He isn't replaceable. It's taken him so long to finally come to accept that for what it means. And maybe someday he'll come to understand what it means to be and exist for himself.]
[And he wouldn't have made it this far without Luke. He almost considers saying as much, but he knows he doesn't have to. He has no doubt that Luke hasn't already realized that himself. In the end, all he can manage is a very soft and quiet reply.]
[But the smile on his face says more than words ever could.]
...thank you, Luke. That means more to me than you know.
[Voice] //Filtered 100%
[It was different hearing those words now, when Luke's voice was calm and clear rather than desperate and sad. But that didn't make them any less powerful; on the contrary, they almost seemed more so. Ion would always be Ion. No matter what happens in the future, that's something that will never change. He isn't replaceable. It's taken him so long to finally come to accept that for what it means. And maybe someday he'll come to understand what it means to be and exist for himself.]
[And he wouldn't have made it this far without Luke. He almost considers saying as much, but he knows he doesn't have to. He has no doubt that Luke hasn't already realized that himself. In the end, all he can manage is a very soft and quiet reply.]
[But the smile on his face says more than words ever could.]
...thank you, Luke. That means more to me than you know.