[ his ear flicks. and after a moment, his tail comes up and flops over danstone's waist, like a weighted blanket. if he puts it anywhere near his mouth jiaoqiu will pull it away, but for now it stays. ]

I understand what it's like to be tired. [ he says, and his voice is a touch more gentle. ] I also have thought that it would be better to have stayed dead.

But we are not. And for now, we can't change that. For now, we are here, and we are breathing, and there is still yet something.

I cannot fix your timeline or your body, and nor can I replace your family, but I can remind you that strength is not only found in how well you can throw a punch. If you'd like to find purpose somewhere, I am willing to help you.

You can give up, too. I won't stop you. You deserve the choice. It belongs to you and you alone.