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[Jaeger doesn't seem bothered by that at all, instead he nods.]

Ja, that's right. I'm not used to being lonely, you know. I always had family nearby before I came here. So being lonely was... well, it was difficult. But I don't have to worry about that anymore.

Of course you don't.

[And that seems a bit less...weird, at least; it's also immediate, though he's quiet for a while before he says anything else, just playing with Jaeger's hair as he collects thoughts.]

I've been alone for most of my life. Even when I had others around, I never felt particularly close to them; there's always been something separating me from most people, and I never minded that, because it's just how things are.

I don't know if I could go back to being alone like that anymore.

[Oh, that's... That's sort of depressing, actually, but Jaeger doesn't voice that thought aloud, instead he just hums while he figures out what he wants to say.]

You won't ever have to. You'll always have me, ja?

[It's not really a question, though.]

[That just gets a soft assenting noise out of him. A bit more hair-playing, though the gesture remains gentle.]

Things are a bit different with you.

I'm glad I can give you that!

[He looks very pleased with it, at any rate.]

It's not something most people have been able to manage.

[Mm.]

...Do you remember what I told you before everything that happened in August? About how I don't tend to keep friends because after a while they're better discarded, and how I don't tend to miss people when they're gone?

It's been like that for everyone, for a very long time; there are some that I prefer the company of, but ultimately they don't mean much. I won't miss them if they disappear from my life.

I think that I would miss you, however. And I'm not sure what I think about that.

[It's...strange to talk about this so bluntly, but it's something he's been trying to sort through; it's been on his mind for a while.]

Incidentally, that sort of thing is why I didn't understand it when you were so upset during certain discussions before. It's not something I experience normally.

[Jaeger listens to all of that quietly and once Wesker is done he doesn't speak up right away. He's always known this on some level, but it's strange to hear it put so bluntly. It's still sort of sad, but that's not what he's focused on.]

I don't ever want you to have to miss me.

[...Or maybe he's just scared that Wesker won't miss him. But that probably wouldn't happen.]

It's different, yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. That's how I usually feel about people, even those I don't have an incredibly strong attachment to. I'd be upset if something were to happen to any of my employees, for example.

...But I can only imagine what it must feel like for you. It's not too terrible, is it?

...I'm not sure. It's been a long time since I've been troubled by anything like that, so it's odd to think about it again.

[It's straightforward, but it's honest, at least.]

But I do know that I don't want that, either.

I understand. But I'm here, and I always will be. You won't have to worry about that.

[It takes him a moment.]

...Good. It's...good to hear that.

[And that's possibly telling in and of itself; it's not the usual "I wasn't worried" or "it'll be fine", but rather it's something that's good to know. Not something he didn't know on some level, perhaps, but something that he appreciates hearing anyway.]

[Oh, that wasn't the response he expected. Jaeger isn't bothered by it, exactly, but it's strange to hear Wesker hesitate over something like this, something he probably should have responded with "I wasn't worried". It's not that Jaeger minds, but it takes him a moment to work out a response.]

There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. You know that, right? I'm happiest being here with you. I wouldn't trade that for anything!

[It's important to him that Wesker knows just how much he means to Jaeger.]

I know.

[And from the sound of it, he does; it's awkward, but it isn't uncertain. He isn't altogether sure why he's having so many problems with this, honestly; a combination of general overstimulation and the topic not being something he's accustomed to discussing with anyone, maybe. It's hard to say, but he supposes that hardly matters - the difficulty putting words to sentiments is frustrating, regardless of the reason, just give him a moment.]

I don't doubt that you're happy here, or that you'll stay as long as you're able. I do know that, yes.

Good.

[That gets Jaeger to relax and he smiles easily.]

I just wanted to make sure you knew that. You're very important to me, after all. So I'll always be here for you!

It's as I've said - you do a good job at making sure I know.

[He seems to be calming down, at any rate; it's taking a little while, but he does seem to be settling.]

I do my best! Even if my best is just repeating the same sentiment over and over again.

[Not that he seems bothered by that at all...]

I don't mind.

[It's...weird, sometimes, but for the most part he thinks it's a good thing? He's not really accustomed to expressing anything like this, or hearing it from anyone else for that matter. This is going a decent way toward getting him used to it, which is good.]

Good, I'd be a bit upset if you did mind!

[But that's said jokingly, he probably wouldn't be all that bothered by it.]

No, I like hearing it.

[It's light, but it's sincere; it's nice, okay.

...Let him go back to playing with your hair properly, he'd kind of settled on that a bit while discussion was happening.]

[He'll lean back into that immediately, it's nice, okay.]

I'm glad you do, because I like saying it!

I know you do.

[...you're mildly ridiculous like that, but he really doesn't mind.]

...Thank you. For the discussion.

[Only mildly??]

Oh, you don't have to thank me for that! But you're welcome anyway!

I know I don't have to.

[Mnngh.]

It's not something I can discuss easily with most people, you know.

I know. It's not the easiest thing to discuss anyway though, so you're doing very well with it.

[At least around him, anyway!]

[Oh.

Well, that seems to settle him a good amount, anyway. Praise??]

It seems like something you should know about, at any rate.

I appreciate it. Thank you for telling me. But you don't need to worry about it, you're doing well with it!

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