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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...

Absolutely. And we both remember it's the Fog's fault or something. Because wow, hate it.

Let's cross that bridge when we get to it.

[In a tone that very plainly says that he will absolutely blame himself, but he's trying very hard not to blame himself for something that hasn't even happened right now.]

...may I ask you a personal question?

Ask away.

...as long as I can remember, I have had these - passing fits. When things get too stressful, I tend to...stop, for a little while. Warden Calaba said that it was because my brain had been rattled so badly when I arrived.

[Again, Ingo doesn't mind. Even if it was a misdiagnosis - no one ever really looked too askance at him again once she made that pronouncement. Lasting injuries, of one sort or another, were common enough that no one would make too much of one.]

But, ah, just now...

[Well. He isn't sure how he looks from the outside. He doesn't think it's really like whatever happened with Emmet. If they hadn't just had their talk about their shared autism he probably wouldn't have said anything at all, but they really did just have that talk.]

[Emmet cocked his head to the side, trying to figure out what the question was.]

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