[The chuckle Asch gets in return is weak, a knee-jerk reaction with hardly any humor behind it.]
Way to put me on the spot, huh?
[...
He catches that look for just a second before he lets his eyes drift back to the ground, his hands staying clenched deep in his pockets. There was a lot to go over, yes, and his first instinct is to dance around it as much as possible. But he knows that won't get anything accomplished. If Asch is thinking he'll just listen and be done with it, then they're going to be in for a rough evening.
But maybe... just maybe... they can try and communicate. Even the basics would be better than where they had left off in the past.]
You remember the last conversation we had, right? When-- [When I killed you. Afterwards, in fact. You knew it was me, even though you couldn't see.] -- when I talked to you, back in the clinic.
[He pauses, only long enough to carefully pick out his words. Don't hesitate. Don't overthink. The worst he can do is leave.
Take a deep breath.
...]
You told me a couple things then. About what happened, and what you thought. Probably wasn't the best time to have asked what I did... and I don't think I ever heard what you genuinely felt about anything.
[He gives a casual shrug, although his voice doesn't follow in tone, keeping even and low. This isn't something to joke about.]
I know it's none of my business now, Asch. It never really was. If you're up for it, though, I'd like to know what you really meant.
hngh okay let's do this
Way to put me on the spot, huh?
[...
He catches that look for just a second before he lets his eyes drift back to the ground, his hands staying clenched deep in his pockets. There was a lot to go over, yes, and his first instinct is to dance around it as much as possible. But he knows that won't get anything accomplished. If Asch is thinking he'll just listen and be done with it, then they're going to be in for a rough evening.
But maybe... just maybe... they can try and communicate. Even the basics would be better than where they had left off in the past.]
You remember the last conversation we had, right? When-- [When I killed you. Afterwards, in fact. You knew it was me, even though you couldn't see.] -- when I talked to you, back in the clinic.
[He pauses, only long enough to carefully pick out his words. Don't hesitate. Don't overthink. The worst he can do is leave.
Take a deep breath.
...]
You told me a couple things then. About what happened, and what you thought. Probably wasn't the best time to have asked what I did... and I don't think I ever heard what you genuinely felt about anything.
[He gives a casual shrug, although his voice doesn't follow in tone, keeping even and low. This isn't something to joke about.]
I know it's none of my business now, Asch. It never really was. If you're up for it, though, I'd like to know what you really meant.