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[It feels strange to let Jaeger handle it - that's supposed to be a part of his soul, after all - but he trusts him with it and isn't going to ask for it back if Jaeger wants to hold it for a while. He'll let him take his hand, though.]

I try not to let anyone see it, really. I've come close a few times, but I can usually control it well enough.

It isn't that I doubt you, or don't think you can help. It's just...

[He pauses for a moment; saying anything else feels like too much, but he's trying to be more open with Jaeger, they're literally just discussing how he needs to be more honest regarding his feelings, and - ]

...There are a lot of things I legitimately hate about myself, Jaeger, and I don't like anyone seeing them.

[It feels sort of nice to hold onto it, for reasons he's not sure he fully understands. He'll give it back whenever you want, but for now... Well, for now he's happy holding onto it.

Wesker's words get him to glance away for a moment before he corrects it.]

...I think I can understand that. Even if you did allow me to see it, I... doubt there's anything I could do to help.

[He hates that idea, but he's doing his best to keep his voice even.]

It doesn't change my opinion of you any, of course. I love you so much, and I know that these sorts of things weigh heavily on you. I... really do wish I could do more to help you.

...I don't handle being upset very well. You've seen it a few times.

[It tends to be distressing for everyone, so it's easier if he just doesn't.]

Yes, I know. I admittedly don't handle it very well either... I tend to get worked up far too easily, as you've seen several times...

[He does his best, his best just isn't very good.]

...It's the sudden inability to speak that I have difficulty tolerating, in my case.

[His grip tightens a bit on Wesker's hand.]

I know how much you dislike it. I can see why it would be troubling, but I've never been bothered by it.

...I know you haven't. It's still difficult to deal with, to say nothing of inconvenient.

[...It...makes him self-conscious, honestly, but that's more difficult to admit to.]

I can imagine just how frustrating it is.

[His situation obviously wasn't the same, but he's at least got some idea of what Wesker's going through.]

I'll always be right here, though. If there's ever anything I can do to help, you'll let me know, ja?

You help me by being here.

[...]

I'm...sorry. For snapping at you earlier. It isn't your fault for not realizing.

No, it's okay. I do still feel a little bad for not realizing... You're very good at hiding that sort of thing, you know.

[Or maybe he's just not as good at reading Wesker as he'd like to think he is. He doesn't like that idea.]

...To be honest, I've always been a very anxious person. It's become easier for me over the years to keep people from realizing it than it is to convey it; it's less stressful on me in general. I'm already aware that most of my behavior is abnormal as it is.

You do an excellent job of hiding it. But it's okay if you need to be anxious or stressed around me; I may not know how to help, but I certainly won't judge you for it.

Would you prefer it that way?

Yes. I want you to be able to be honest with me about anything you're feeling. I understand that you don't always want to, of course, but if you need to... I'll be here for you.

...I've been trying to be more open with you. I tell you the important things, at any rate; I don't always come to you with the pointless things, but I try to tell you what matters.

Yes, I know you have. And you've been doing a good job of it! But I don't mind if you want to come to me with pointless things too, you know. I'll always be here for you, and it's not like I mind the little things at all. It makes me really happy when I can help you!

...The pointless things are all along the lines of "I'm feeling strange for no reason." It's hardly anything I should need help with.

It's okay if you want to come to me with things like that. I can at least be a distraction! It's not something I'd mind at all, though I understand it can be difficult.

I usually do come to you, in general, even if I don't always express why. That much hasn't changed.

I'm very glad to hear it. I would like to know what's troubling you, but I'm very happy that you'll come to me anyway. Of course, I do like being around you, so I suppose that goes without saying.

Well, I would hope so.

[...]

You're all right holding on to that for now...?

[He tips his head a bit. The stone.]

Oh!

[...He should probably give it back, huh...]

Well, I'll give it back if you want it... but yes, I'm fine holding onto it for a little while longer.

[It's just... nice, okay...]

...Do you like having it?

[At least he doesn't sound like he thinks it's weird.]

...Yes.

[Eye contact is suddenly very difficult.]

It's... nice. I don't really know if I can explain it...

...You can keep it, if you'd like.

[He sounds entirely serious.]

It doesn't take emotional damage anymore, from the sound of it, and it doesn't hurt at all to be apart from it. If you want to keep it with you, I trust you with it entirely.

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