[ Reynir hears the hesitancy in Onni's voice, feels it tugging at his insides as well. Is that ever going to stop feeling strange? Or will it always be like this? ]

Well, I was thinking, more like... if I'm asking you, 'Hey, Onni, what's up with you feeling super sad right now?' and you say you don't want to get into it, and I say something like, 'Hey I'm your friend and you should open up to me' you can say 'We're done with this, I'm calling false asphodel' or 'you're getting into false asphodel territory' or whatever, and that way I'll know to drop it.

[ Reynir lifts his head, finally, scooting to sit sideways on the couch so he can look at Onni. His knees press against the side of Onni's thigh, and his expression is earnest and stubborn. ]

I... want you to talk to me about stuff. When things are hard. And I - don't want you to underestimate me. You aren't gonna scare me off or hurt me, even if what you need to say is awful. But all of that - it's got limits. I know that. So this way, when it's really important. I'll know.

[ Reynir brightens with a thought, adds: ]

And I can use it, too. 'Cause, y'know. I've- got stuff I don't want to talk about sometimes. It goes both ways.