[Ah, there's the tears. It sets off Mettaton's own again, but it's not because he's sad. He is a little, yes. It hurts to say goodbye. But mostly...

He laughs, low and throaty and not bothering to pick back up the mask he just dropped.]

You don't have to be a stranger, you know. If this team ever feels like it's too much, you have an open invitation from me to join ours. [He nudges the boy to look at him just to give him a wink. Needing an invitation from Keats doesn't seem to be implied.

...so this is it, then. The end of this little duo they've formed. Mettaton rests his chin back onto Giorno's crown--]

Gasp.

[Giorno is already on his lap; it takes very little maneuvering for one arm to curl under the boy's knees so Mettaton can lift him, bridal style, into the air. He doesn't wait for a reaction. He's already running back to his own room.]

You never got to meet Duke Anastasia- this is changing right now!!!