[ It's too much to sit with this hollow feeling in front of someone like Estelle. She'd just asked him to trust her with that sort of thing, to ask for help— but he can't just pour it all over her feet and expect her to pick it up when even he isn't sure what to do with it, or what he needs. What would make it better? Knowing, but he can't have that.

So he swallows around its shape and offers Estelle a smile he hopes comes off correctly. ]

It's really alright. I'd rather you didn't get lost— Yuri would have my head if I let anything happen to you, for one thing!

[ Something about saying that makes his temples throb, familiar and aching. He has no idea what it could be. He has to breathe through it, steady himself until it passes. The smile fades. ]

And, um— I think it would be nice, not to... walk back alone. For me.