[His head snaps back up, clearly not expecting that. Jesus lucian christ what the fuck more is there to this? He's hesitant, because he doesn't...know, he doesn't know if Ardyn wants the comfort, but he comes over to sit beside him with a heavy sigh, fluttering some of the hair dangling in his face.]

I thought all those scars were from...fights. From your fights with daemons, before we figured it out. [He maybe maybe maybe should apologize for the pool. He won't, though. Because he doesn't really regret it. Because at the end of the day, nobody gave a shit about his scars or gave him more than a double-take anyway.]

No wonder you think you're supposed to carry the weight of the world. Because you really...really are. You helped all those people, and then... [Vague hand motion. And then something. happened.]