[It's a solemn indicator of how long it's been for him that it takes him a minute. Catches him off guard. Jags in his throat, leaves a lump that cinches tighter and it's grief, he knows it's grief, it's just that he keeps thinking he's over this until the Project reminds him of everyone that he never allowed himself to really mourn.]
[His helmet hides his blink, the convulsion of his throat as he tries to swallow back that inexplicable tautness. The laugh is short and almost verges on strangled, but.]
[But it's fine.]
Smooth it away.]
[There's probably something about the slope of his shoulders and the way it takes him a minute to respond in kind that screams it:]
[I missed you.]
All right, you big motherfucker. Let's show you where we've been holed up.
no subject
[It's a solemn indicator of how long it's been for him that it takes him a minute. Catches him off guard. Jags in his throat, leaves a lump that cinches tighter and it's grief, he knows it's grief, it's just that he keeps thinking he's over this until the Project reminds him of everyone that he never allowed himself to really mourn.]
[His helmet hides his blink, the convulsion of his throat as he tries to swallow back that inexplicable tautness. The laugh is short and almost verges on strangled, but.]
[But it's fine.]
Smooth it away.]
[There's probably something about the slope of his shoulders and the way it takes him a minute to respond in kind that screams it:]
[I missed you.]
All right, you big motherfucker. Let's show you where we've been holed up.