[ The berries are doing the lord's work here as Keith would have otherwise remembered a knife sharpening appointment a while ago. As it stands, the warmth feels less like a potential minefield and more like an invitation to bask. ]

That was true even before bonding.

[ He laughs a little sheepishly, still not meeting her eye, choosing instead to lie down on the grass. ]

I know we don't always agree on things and I know I'm not the easiest guy to get along with, but ... I don't mean to be. It's just hard for me to open up to others because people used to always assume the worst of me. [ A beat. ] And maybe that made me assume the worst in others, too.

[ Folding an arm behind his head, he stretches out more comfortably. ]

But having a bond with you made me do a lot of thinking. All those times back home when you were real courageous .... obviously that's part of who you are, but deep down maybe you were just as nervous and didn't really have anyone to talk to about it?

We said we were all friends and that we had to trust each other, but I guess ... being more aware of all the feelings you don't say anything about made me think .... well. You don't have to trust me with everything, but I want you to know that you can, if you want to.

Because you know... maybe neither of us actually have to be as lonely as we feel sometimes.