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Yes, I noticed that. You could protect them, but having something like that exposed at all certainly could make things difficult...

[Not to mention how annoying they'd be in daily life.]

I'd imagine so.

[His hand shifts up toward his chest, the action strange and distracted, as though he's unaware of doing it.]

It's not something to be too concerned about for the time being, I suppose; we don't have any guarantee that it's going to happen anytime soon, if at all.

[He understands the motion, probably better than anyone else. After a moment he'll move to take Wesker's hand, if Wesker will let him.]

Yes, that's true. It's something to consider, but not something to get so worked up about, ja?

[...Oh.

That seems to bring him back into himself a little; he seems a little surprised when Jaeger takes his hand, but he'll allow it.]

Yes, of course.

[That gets him to smile; the expression's soft and while it's not nearly as excited as it usually is, it's still genuine.]

We'll be okay, no matter what happens. I really do believe that.

I know we will be.

[He's quiet for a moment, though.]

I'm not afraid of it, you know.

I think it'd be understandable if you were, but I'm glad you're not. I'm not exactly surprised to hear that, though... I doubt there's much that could actually scare you.

...There really isn't, to be blunt. It's always been that way, even in my past life - I don't remember being scared often, if at all.

I'm a little jealous, honestly... I've never been able to handle fear very well. Though I suppose you could say that about most of my emotions...

[He. He tries, but...]

I'm not really certain it's a trait that's worth the price - it's likely because in both this life and the life I remember, fear wasn't a very productive response to anything that was happening to me.

[It...kind of got beaten out of him, in both instances.]

I won't say the results haven't served me well enough, however.

You'll always have me to watch your back too, after all. I tend to worry a lot, but I know you can take care of yourself. Still, I'm always going to do what I can to help look out for you!

I know you would never let anything happen to me. Though I imagine that's why all this business with Retrospec troubles you so much.

[You don't have any control over that.]

Of course. I can't stand to see you hurting. All Retrospec does is hand out items sometimes and mess up the world, not to mention dragging people onto their network or kicking them off seemingly at random. I wouldn't wish Retrospec on anyone.

[There's an edge to his voice that usually isn't present; he gets annoyed frequently, but this isn't like that. It's sharper, harsher. His expression is still relaxed, but he has a lot of feelings about Retrospec and almost none of them are positive.

He realizes he's gotten distracted after a moment, and tries to settle.]

I don't want you to think I'm being too overprotective, of course. I know you can handle yourself, I just don't want anything to happen to you.

Jaeger...

[He pulls Jaeger close again after a moment; it doesn't seem desperate or anything, he just wants to hold him for a while.]

I know you're angry with them. But you don't need to be on my behalf. I'm all right, I promise.

[He leans into it easily, relaxing a bit against Wesker. He should just let it go, but...]

It's... Well, it's mostly because of what they've done to you. But it's what they've done to everyone, too. What they've done to Elda, to Cumore, to me... And I'm sure other people have suffered greatly at their hands too. It's just... immensely frustrating.

I know that, and I didn't think it was solely because of me. But you don't have to let what they've done to me compound it any.

[...He isn't the most comfortable still, but this is nice.]

[Sure, it's not exactly comfortable, but there isn't any place that's safer.]

I'm always going to be angry at them, I think. There's a lot we don't know about how they work or how much control they have over all of this and it's probably not fair of me to be so hard on them. But even knowing that, I can't stop being angry.

[He's quiet for a moment.]

...I'm okay, though. I'm not too worked up about it, it's just something I think about occasionally.

I understand. I'm...not particularly angry with them myself, but I also don't let myself think about it very much.

That's fair. It isn't really something I want to dwell on either. This is what we're dealing with, so it's good to try to stay focused on whatever comes our way.

[He nuzzles Wesker before letting himself properly relax against him.]

It's a lot, ja, but I have no doubts that we'll work through anything that's thrown at us.

[He'll return it, all right.]

Of course we will.

[...]

Are you going to be all right after tonight? I know it was a lot to take in.

I think it'll take awhile for me to process all of that... But I think I'm okay for now.

[He hesitates for a moment, though.]

...Will you... text or call me at some point today? I wouldn't dream of asking you to stay home from work, but...

[He knows it's stupid to think anything would happen once Wesker's out of his sight, but that's just how things are going to be today, apparently.]

Would you prefer that I stay here with you...? I can call you if you want me to, of course, but if you want me here then I can stay.

[...]

I... Yes, I'd like that, if it's not too much trouble.

[He feels embarrassed by it; he knows Wesker will be fine, it's not like most things could kill him, after all. He really shouldn't need this.]

Sorry, I... I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow.

...Jaeger, you just felt me die.

[His grip tightens a bit against Jaeger's body, holding him close.]

I understand if it's upset you, and if you want me to remain close for a while.

...Thank you.

[It still feels sort of embarrassing, but that does get him to settle, and he relaxes again.]

I... I know you'll be okay, I just... I'm worried something will happen if I take my eyes off you. And I know that's silly, but I just can't stop worrying.

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