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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!

[Well. He certainly seems pleased with that, anyway, good lord; no more words for now, granted, but there is just...so much running his hand through your hair and finding one of your hands with his free hand, all right.

Contact is good today, even if words are not.]

[Jaeger definitely likes the hair-playing and he'll take Wesker's hand easily. This is really nice... He'll even keep quiet for awhile because he genuinely does enjoy this. And sometimes he can shut up, surprisingly!!]

[...He's gotten a short period of quiet out of Jaeger twice in a row now; today really must be a good day.

That said, the contact isn't something that he usually seeks out, or at least not quite this much of it; he'll allow it if Jaeger wants it, but he doesn't really initiate it himself. So this is...different, but it's calming and it's good for now, and he can't really be sure how to explain how but it's doing some rather nice things to his head; it's warm, and after a while it occurs to him that it's safe in a way that he's not used to associating with physical contact, and once that thought settles in he finds himself not particularly wanting to let go, either.]

...You're good to me.

[It's quiet, but it's out there; slightly breathless but still audible.]

[The silence is comfortable, though it's not something Jaeger usually enjoys. It's nice though, spending time like this with Wesker. He really wouldn't trade it for anything, even if the quiet does take some getting used to.

Wesker's words get him to look up.]

I try to be! You've been very good to me too, after all. I'm so glad you're such an important part of my life, Albert.

I do what I can for you.

[And that's likewise quiet; he's very clearly not making eye contact, it's obvious even despite the sunglasses, but he doesn't seem troubled or upset. Kind of overwhelmed still, but it's a good thing.]

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