{ especially when i know that everyone is willing to give me a chance

he isn't sure he would have been quite so open to it had ayaka not shared the details either. it offers only guilt as aether kindly reaches for his hands, holds them and squeezes them in his own. his eyes dip down to watch, and really it's amusing that even through the gloves there's a mockery of warmth that spills between them--the effects of this world ever present.

he opens his mouth to respond, (how can i be sad about this?) because he can think of a number of reasons. it's obvious in the way they speak to one another now, friends yes but there's a thin veil of stepping on egg shells where neither of them really know how things will feel.

and it's only more prevalent when aether continues to talk. }

Being here certainly changes things. { but this time he allows his voice to sound as distant as it feels } It's a wonder what being away from home can do, isn't it? Though I'd agree it isn't necessarily a bad thing. { half the conversation is with himself though, so he won't blame aether if some of this doesn't make sense.

and as if the skies pity them both, small patters of water start to drop. }