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[Oh no, you're so adorable...]

I'm glad you do! I like saying it and it's important to me that you know, so this works out well~

[As much as he likes hearing it, he really isn't certain what to do with it today; some days are better than others on the speaking front, and this is not one of those days.

...If he reaches out to pet your hair, will you be quiet and stop overstimulating him for a little while...]

[Today isn't a words day, got it. That's alright though, he still looks very pleased and he immediately leans into that. It's nice, he really does enjoy the hair-playing.

And he'll actually shut up for once, since he's already planning on embarrassing you horribly for Christmas. Consider this your warning!!]

[He knows Jaeger likes it; it's why he does it so often. That, and the fact that he's still not...great with physical contact otherwise. But this is nice, and it's easy, and at this point Wesker enjoys doing it.

So he's content to just do this in silence for a while; he's entirely aware that he's going to spend most of Christmas wanting to die, but for now this is fine and it seems to relax him the more he does it, so at least there's that much.]

[That's good! It's nice to spend time like this; there isn't anywhere he'd rather be and there isn't anything else he'd rather be doing right now. Jaeger relaxes into Wesker's touch, letting his eyes drift shut. He still doesn't smile genuinely all that often, but now's a good time for it.

Eventually he'll break the silence though, if only because he's always been bad at being quiet.]

...I really do enjoy this, but you already knew that, ja?

Of course.

[It's quiet, but it's just as easy as the gesture; this is good, okay.]

I'm glad. You make me very happy, Albert.

[It doesn't have the usual teasing edge to it, but he means it, of course.]

[...Oh. That's...]

It makes me happy that I can.

You do a wonderful job of it. Really! It's not as though I was completely unhappy before, but things are better now. Thank you.

You aren't lonely anymore.

[It's said in the odd, blank sort of way that one does when they aren't certain what else to say, and the first thing that makes sense is to repeat back something they've been told previously; it really isn't a words day but he's trying, all right.]

[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...]

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