( that discomforting hollowness in his chest is something that she feels as well. in fact, Amber is confident that once this exchange is over and they part ways, she'll head straight back to her room on the farm in order to cry. hopefully mishka won't be home.

swallowing her grief, she manages a small smile, even though though her chest feels crushed with pain. there's just something about sharing in Diluc's own pain about what he went through that makes her own all the more intense when she reflects on it. maybe once she's had her cathartic cry, she'll be able to process how she feels more clearly. healing isn't linear, after all. )

Thank you so much. I'll never stop trying to do right by people. You have that promise from me, too.

( it's a shame that he isn't as small as Collei, because she has this urge to pat his head and hug him, while telling him everything will be okay. )

Sure. Of course that goes the same way back to you. But you don't need to see me just to help out. If you ever just want to have some grape juice and some company, then that's just fine with me as well. ( she knows how much you love grape juice, Diluc! )

And ... heh, I'm not sure if you're the hugging type, but that's also on the table. The entire time I spent dealing with all this on my own, all I wanted was for someone to hug me tightly. I'm not sure if you ever felt the same, but ... well, the offer's there.