[He lets himself rest his head against her shoulder, eyes closed, just breathing as she speaks, trying to get himself back under control. It's been a long, long time since he felt like he could do this. A long time since they just... talked. But he can't let his avoidance, his fear of letting anyone in push her away. He can't lose her. She's been gone so long and if she slips away from him again it can't be his fault.]

Yeah, yeah, you think we need more emotions here? C'mon, Lup, you'd think the, uh, all the sobbing would be enough for you,like you wouldn't need all these genuine sap, but we're tappin' this like a tree my dude. Stuff's just flowin'. You put the spout in there and thought maybe you'd get uh, few drops, enough to cover your pancakes, and instead you smacked it once and got a flood.

[This one got away from him, and he shakes his head a bit, but it just feels like digging himself closer. That inevitable march towards each other, in the end, from wherever they are.]

Should've done it sooner anyway. I didn't... remember everything, at the beginning of the month. Nothin' past the conservatory. It took me a while. But it still should've been sooner.

[If anyone deserves his honesty, his kindness, every good part of him, it's her. It's always her.]