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...For one thing, I imagine it's difficult when you can't interact with him properly or know how much he really understands about what's happening. It's hard to say whether he's actually all right or just thinks he is.

Yes, I think that must be it. I really hope he is okay, of course, it's just... a bit difficult to process right now, I think.

[...]

I'm sure he's all right, Jaeger. All of them are. We'll see them again.

Yes, I... I'm sure they are. We'll see them all again soon.

I know that you're worried about them.

[He...isn't sure if he's worried about them as well; that feels like a bit too strong a word. He knows he'll certainly notice if they don't see them again, but...

He'll deal with it later.]

...You know that if I'm ever taken off the network and you aren't, I don't fault you if you want me to be put back on it. You understand that, don't you?

[He knows Jaeger's had a problem with feeling guilty about things like that, with regards to Cumore.]

[Jaeger looks over at that, but his gaze is quick to flick away.]

I... No, I... I imagine you'd feel the same way, ja? It's a very difficult situation, and I don't think it's necessarily wrong to miss someone and wish they were put back on the network, even if that's not a good thing for them and even if they wouldn't like it.

It's just... complicated, I think.

[...]

Thank you, though. I... I'm sorry, I...

[He's doing his best, but that's about as far as he can get. He ends up shaking his head a bit, frustrated, as his shoulders shake.]

[...He'll reach over and run his hand through Jaeger's hair lightly; it's awkward to do anything else in the car, granted, but he can manage that easily enough.]

What are you apologizing for...?

[That's likewise gentle; it's okay.]

[He'll lean into it of course, just focusing on that for a moment to try to calm himself down.]

I didn't think I'd get this worked up...

[He figured things would be worse if Cumore hadn't shown up, but here he is working himself up even though things went surprisingly well. It probably doesn't require an apology, but he's never really sure how to handle getting worked up like this.]

It's all right if you miss him, and if you miss the way things used to be.

[He keeps it up with the hair-playing, steady and gentle.]

Perhaps you can talk to him about it someday, if he's ever put back on the network. Not necessarily about your feelings on it, if you don't want to discuss that with him, though I think that would be a good idea - but just to make sure he'll be all right even if it's difficult for him.

[He's quiet for a moment, just leaning into that and listening.]

...I think he'd be furious if I ever admitted I was glad to see him back on the network... But there is a lot I should talk to him about. I think it's been harder for me to try to open up to him because our past lives came from the same world. I haven't remembered doing anything awful to him - and I haven't remembered him doing anything awful to me - but somehow it feels so much more difficult to be honest with him. I'm still not particularly good at it, but I've been able to open up more to some people. With him it's just... much easier to keep up the act.

[He's still not entirely sure why. It's not like Cumore strikes him as dangerous or untrustworthy, but it's always so much easier to act like everything's fine.]

...No offense, Jaeger, but I've seen you talk to him; you're both the most impressively superficial people alive.

[wow.]

It's possible it's because that's the sort of relationship you had then as well - he was present in the memory I've seen of yours, and it was like that from both of you.

[Thanks, honey.]

Yes, we were both sort of like that... I haven't remembered talking with him outside of that instance, but I imagine that was more or less how things always went. I suppose it's just easier to fall back into that.

...Either way, I think it's good that you want to talk to him.

[...did he say something weird, he thinks he might have, you're making that face.]

[it's okay, it's nothing bad...]

Yes, I think so too. I really am trying to be more open and honest. It's... well, I have a lot I need to relearn and I have a long way to go, but I feel like I'm headed in the right direction. It only took me this long...

[he does his best, jaeger...]

I really do think you're doing well, you know.

[He'll pull his hand back then; he should probably actually drive.]

[That's fine, he's doing better now, at least!]

I'm really happy to hear it. It really does feel like I've come a long way from where I started. It certainly hasn't been easy, but I'm happy I've managed this much.

[Just...give him a moment to put the car in gear, then, and we can go.]

You really should feel happy for yourself. It's an accomplishment.

Honestly, I never would have believed I could change this much. I'm glad I have, though.

[...]

Thank you, Albert. I'm feeling better now. Praise always does help, you know~!

[You should absolutely praise him all the time!!]

I'm aware. That's why I tend to do it sparingly - so it means something when I do. I don't like compliments for their own sake.

[...I mean, it was a nice try.]

[goddammit.]

Well, it is always nice... I suppose I can't be too mad about that, since I do seem to get a fair amount of compliments from you anyway!

When you've earned them, yes.

You make it sound like there are times when I don't earn them!

That depends on the compliment.

[...guys.]

Well, at least you can never say that I don't look amazing, ja~?

You can keep trying, Jaeger...

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