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I know. I can't imagine you giving up, no matter what you're facing.

[It's something he's always admired about Wesker, it was just taken to a terrifying extreme in his past life.]

It must have been difficult. All of that, but especially knowing that you didn't have a place in the world as it was. Not that your actions were right, but I can see why you felt you had no other options.

[He nods a bit at that, the gesture tight, before he tries to make himself continue; he doesn't talk like this often - he hates admitting to anything like this, especially pain, but...]

It...hurts, I suppose. Knowing that it didn't have to be like that, and that I had no chance at a normal life because someone else decided to choose me at random and take that chance away from me. And by the end, I couldn't stop; I couldn't change for the better, I couldn't do anything but follow a path that had been laid for me by someone that wanted to use me, all I had that I knew for certain was my own was the hatred and the anger.

I... It's terrifying, honestly, but mostly it's just painful for me.

I understand. It sounds so painful, so difficult to handle back then... and remembering all of that now isn't any better. You have to relive all of that, knowing that there isn't anything that could help. I'm so sorry.

[His grip is very tight, so he forces himself to loosen it a bit.]

I wish there was some way to help. The most I can do is listen and be here for you, I think.

[It's not enough and it never will be enough, but there really isn't anything else that can be done, is there?]

...You're doing fine, Jaeger.

[He's quiet, though.]

I've never really known what to do with sympathy. I don't see much point in it, to be honest. But I know you're here for me.

[It gets him to smile a bit, though the expression's subdued.]

It's okay if you don't know what to do with it. I'm glad you know that I'm here for you; I always will be. I love you so much and I'm happy to be here with you.

I know you won't leave me alone if you can help it.

Of course. I don't want you to ever have to be alone again. I'll always do my best to be right here beside you.

You really have always been kind to me, in that regard. Even when I didn't appreciate it very much.

Well, I'll admit that at first it was mostly because I assumed you were lonely. I was projecting quite a bit back then... But I can't say I regret it! I really am so happy I've gotten the chance to get to know you so well, Albert.

...I think I can understand where my way of living might seem painful to people who aren't used to it.

[He knows that's likely why Silver kept trying to pull him out of the house, and why Jaeger kept trying to spend so much time with him at the start.]

I'm glad you're in my life now, however... It doesn't trouble you, does it? That I still don't leave this place much.

No, it doesn't! Some people just don't like to get out all that often. I will insist on dragging you out sometimes, though! I do like going out, after all!

[He spends all day talking to people so he can come home and live the shut-in life with you most of the time, but he's still ridiculously outgoing and he can't sit still for very long, so...]

...I don't mind as much if it's with you, or if I have someone else there with me in general. I just don't care much for going out alone.

That's understandable! Going out alone really isn't much fun at all, honestly... I'd much rather be here with you!

...It's appreciated, at any rate.

I'm always happy to be with you, whether we're going out or staying in. I really do enjoy spending time with you, after all!

Likewise.

[...]

Thank you for listening, by the way.

You don't have to thank me for that. I always want to do what I can to help you, after all.

...But thank you for talking about it. I... I'm sure it was very difficult.

...It was troubling me. It still is, in a few ways.

I told Kei earlier that I pity the person I was back then.

I understand, and I feel the same way. I'll always be here to talk about it if you need to. I may not know what to say, but I'll always listen.

I can't tell you everything.

[It's blunt and straightforward, but he doesn't leave it at that today.]

It isn't to protect you or because I don't think you can handle it. It's because some of the things I've remembered are no one's business but mine. They aren't things I'm willing to discuss - not because they would hurt you, but because it won't accomplish anything productive.

[Because they'll hurt me.]

[It takes him a moment to understand what Wesker's saying - and just as importantly, what he isn't saying. The confused expression falls away and Jaeger's grip tightens on Wesker's hand before he abruptly removes one of his hands. He's still holding Wesker's hand and his grip is still tight, but his other hand moves to rest lightly against the side of Wesker's face. He'll pull back if Wesker doesn't want to be touched, of course, but the contact is important to him. He isn't trying to get Wesker to look at him either; he understands that it might be difficult right now.]

I'm so sorry, Albert. I'm sorry that you're remembering so many difficult things, I'm sorry that your past life had to go through so much... I'm sorry that you chose to act the way you did in that life too. If there was some way I could make this easier - any part of it - I'd do it without hesitation.

[It takes him a moment to react, his posture going weird and rigid as Jaeger makes contact; after a moment, though, he finds himself nuzzling into Jaeger's touch, the gesture slight but present.]

You keep talking as though you don't do anything for me. I don't know how else to explain to you that you do.

[The nuzzling is nice and he smiles for a moment, but the words...]

It's not as though I don't believe you. I just... I wish I could do more for you. I really am glad I'm able to help you, and I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm ignoring that. I promise I'm not.

What would you consider enough...?

[It's a genuine question.]

I... I don't know.

[He's never thought about it like that before and it shows. What could be enough? Considering everything Wesker has to deal with, could anything be enough?]

...I wish I had an answer to that, but I don't.

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