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I will be hundreds of years older by then!

[And like, definitely long dead. But Ingo isn't thinking of that; he's trying to be a little lighter. He doesn't feel light. It's a shivery feeling, like he could break down in either laughter or sobs all at once, at any second. He lets out a long shuddering breath and drops his chin onto Emmet's shoulder, finally bringing his arms up to hug back.]

I don't know. I don't know what to say. It is - all the time. If it is not the hunting it is something else. I cannot sleep, I cannot relax without - clawing or something - I'm sorry, I do not want to make things worse for you! I know that you have your own troubles!

I can handle them with your help like you can handle yours with mine. Because you may have things that seem big to you that are not for me, and it goes the other way.

[He said softly.]

Then we will find a way to help with that. Because you only make things worse for me when you allow yourself to suffer. When you carry everything when I can help. There are two of us after all.

...is that...how we did things before? It does not feel right - perhaps with ordinary problems, but this is all too much. I do not wish to burden you.

Of course, it is a lot. But it just a simple issue of rearranging the packs. If you give me some of your problems, I know you have room for mine.

[He looks up.]

If it would be a burden, I would tell you. But I could at least give suggestions on to how better carry it.

Would you tell me? You have always been more worried for me than for yourself. You let me go too far, too often, because - because you do not want to expect too much, because of how I was even before this!

[Ingo accepts the majority of the fault for how things were immediately after they both arrived here. But Emmet's always seemed to let him get away with too much, without saying anything. Ingo knows he's hurt him before and only realized later.]

I told myself I would be a better brother to you.

And you are, we are just refinding our footing, which is going to take a bit because our steps are out of sync. But as long as we both try, it will work out.

[He sighs.]

Before coming here, I have been told I need to express what's in my heart more, yup. I even said then I would. Have my heart on my sleeve. It's just hard to do- I don't know why people make it look easy.

It is not that easy.

[Ingo knows he has a much easier time expressing himself than Emmet does - when he wants to. But that doesn't mean it's just simple and easy for him to say everything.]

But...I will...try. [It still feels wrong to say. But, at least, it feels equally wrong not to.] If that will truly make things easier for you.

It will, I promise.

[He says with a nod.]

Please keep being patient with me while I try my best.

Ah, you have done nothing wrong! There's little call for patience!

[He says, despite having been upset with Emmet and deliberately reminding himself to be patient like. Literally two minutes ago.]

Ingo, even before all of this, there would be times I test your patience in the best of scenarios.

[Because it was fun! Which is an even greater test of patience then when it is serious!]

Like you'd test mine.

[Ingo snorts.]

Oh, well then!

[No, but that does make sense. He pulls out of the hug, mostly so that he can look at Emmet properly.]

I am sorry I upset you earlier. I should have been clear about why I was nervous from the start - I did not think about what bonding with her might mean, at first, and then I was worried that you would be frightened or angry with me! But...well, I do not like it, but she is your dog, so...I suppose if you are comfortable with it, I could be around her. With supervision! And - and I will tell you if you must take her away at any point.

[It's all a scary notion to him. That's obvious in his tone! But...well, if he really tries to remove all emotion from the question, Emmet's ideas are logical. And he said he'd try to let Emmet help, so...they should at least attempt it. If things go badly, he can always insist on his idea later on.]

Even if I were, I would get over it. Have my meltdown, take a nap, carry on.

[SIMPLE FORMULA FOR HIM!]

...I do not want to frighten or upset you to begin with!

[did you take a nap while he was gone, he's jealous]

[Get jealous.]

On accident is still better than on purpose, like when we were eight.

[A prank, in which Ingo discovered Emmet would have a 'fight' response, actually!]

What happened then? Wait -

[...no. The way his sessions with Joshua have been going, it could easily take years for him to randomly stumble across this specific incident.]

- no, nevermind. What did happen?

We were spending the summer watching horror movies and eating fast food at our Grandparents house.

[He started, looking a bit embarrassed.]

They were old money, so the house of course was big and kind of creepy. You know with old folk things.

[Ingo tilts his head; this is not a cultural thing in Hisui, but...alright, wealthy people, an old structure. Like some of the buildings in Jubilife a few decades on? He guesses he gets the gist, at least.]

Okay.

So, one night, you found a creepy old mask in an old toy box in the attic. And I would always go to bed before you.

[Gives Ingo a moment to process what he might have done.]

Oh. I see!

Grandma found it hilarious, Grandpa was worried we would have to take you to the hospital for a broken nose.

Emmet!

[Ingo sounds indignant, but also clearly amused. He obviously brought that one on himself, after all!]

Well, feel free to do that again if you must! It will all heal!

I will if you ever set that up again.

[He dares you.]

...really, though. If anything like the red fog happens again, do whatever you need to do. My - well, you have seen what my venom can do.

[He's never tested it against another monster. But it kills humans quickly. That month would have gone so, so much worse if he had been transformed then.]

Only if you do the same with me. It would suck to have to follow through on so many threats without you trying to win.

[Ingo grimaces, but...oh dear, he's already said it.]

I suppose it would make you feel worse if I did not and got hurt for it...

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