there isn't really anything to say about that, right or wrong. it's a reasonable way to feel about it, he thinks. doesn't matter that he does. even if it seemed out there or insane, so what? realm-hopping at his age had caused him a lot of problems. he could imagine what could have happened to a child... especially here, of all places. "he was great," he says, voice quiet. aware, now... that it's not an easy topic of conversation for either of them. he doesn't want to make comparisons. it's just... impossible. "he looked just like you. or... i guess you look just like him." and yes, he had been physically in good condition—as far as danny ever knew—and people generally found him agreeable. saying that feels... unfair. to both of them. they're different people, aren't they? "i'm sorry i brought this all back for you," he blurts, fidgeting awkwardly. this is horrible. absolutely horrible. he should never try and have hope again.
Well, it's not exactly the font of information he'd been hoping for, but what can you do. Jules was asking Danny to dredge up memories of a dead friend, after all: 'he was great' is probably the most he should expect. Paying for their coffees and leading them over to a bench where Jules flops down into a sprawling seat (he's never been good at standing for long periods of time), he says:
"You're very apologetic, you know." Just in case Danny was not aware of this part of his personality. "Shouldn't I be the sorry one, the one bringing things back for you? You lost... everything. Not that it's a competition but I'd say that trumps my mommy/daddy issues."









