"I like having company," Azwel replies, lying down next to him. He shifts about until he's on his back, hands draped over his middle.

"It might take a little while yet for me to be fully myself again," he muses. "I feel strangely drained and hollowed out and... sore in places I oughtn't be, and I'm not sure why. And I'm not sure which is worse--the feeling itself or not knowing where it's coming from."

He looks at Vash. "I know you'll probably tell me everything is fine, but I would feel oddly remiss if I didn't make it known that, well, I'm here if you need anything." A sigh. "It's been a long while since I've said that to anyone."