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"You'll be expatriated. Or arrested. They won't let you come back." But they both knew he would never be able to have his own best interests in mind. He'd rather shoot himself in the foot, metaphorically speaking.
"I have to help them." Thomas of all people should understand that. But maybe, the problem was that Thomas understands him too much.
"No you don't," Thomas shook his head. "Don't make this about the Chagalls."
Varian sighed. He went to turn to grab the rest of the paintings, but paused.
Only the bravest of men would come all the way over to Europe to save the lives of strangers. What about saving your own life?
Remembering the interaction from earlier in the day mentally threw him off balance. It all seemed a lifetime ago He blinked, both to attempt to ignore the ache he experienced for the second time that day, and to hold back the tears he felt welling up.
Even men like us… Even we deserve to be happy.
He tried to shake it off, but the thing was, Thomas was right. He's too self destructive for his own good. He's done everything, he's devoted his life to this- even after he was fired. He's a criminal. Especially after this… stunt he was about to pull, he wouldn't be able to come back. He couldn't stay either, the Chagalls were depending on him, and no matter what Thomas said, this was also about them. He would never forgive himself if he didn't help them. He didn't see any way around this, there was no possibility of Marseille, of Thomas, remaining in his life. Unless–
"Then come with me." It was a spur of the moment decision, but he made up his mind. He was tired of hiding (Thomas always had a way of saying things that Varian subconsciously believed as well). He was tired of existing in fear.
"What?" Thomas looked at him, eyes widening in disbelief.
Varian grabbed him by the shoulders. "Come with me. We both go with the Chagalls to Lisbon. We can figure it out- we can go wherever we want from there– Spain, Britain, hell, America, even. I don't- I don't care."
Thomas considered him. "You're serious."
He smiled, "More than I've ever been in my life, Thomas."
"I…" his eyebrows furrowed. "Okay," he nodded. "I'll go with you."
Varian pulled him in for a hug, like he did only moments earlier with Mary Jayne. Funny thing, how moments change a person. This hug was filled with love, longing. But also hope. Hope that they could be happy. That he could be happy. Where just moments before, he thought he'd never be again.
Whatever moment they had was interrupted by Mr. & Mrs. Chagall walking through the front door. "Here we are. Let's go," Mrs. Chagall called out. They pulled away from each other, both sniffling with tear-streaked smiles- but smiles nonetheless. Because whatever happened next, they'd be together.
Varian opened the passenger side door, as Thomas went in. He went over to the driver's seat and sat down. Once the Chagalls made their way into the back seats, he looked over at Thomas. "Lets get this show started, hm?" Thomas nodded, chuckling. Varian turned to look forward.
They do deserve happiness, don't they?