I think I understand now why these moments still hit me pretty damn hard
Chase only recently turned 18.
up until Season 2, he was only 17. He was still a kid. And depending on how you feel about 18, he's not a 'full adult' until he's 21.
He's only 18, and he's already lost one parent. And he's about to lose his mom, too. That's rough for anyone, but at his age? That's way too soon to lose your parents.
Chase's story is so damn tragic, and not only that, he just keeps taking shot after shot. No wonder he's desperately trying not to lose his whimsy.
The way I kinda equate it to is Tiny Tina, specifically in Borderlands 2. She has a throwaway line where she tells you that if she ever slows down, she's afraid she'll just stop. Everything that's happened to her, and she hides it behind a mask of being fucking insane (in a good way, I love Tiny Tina) and clinging to Roland.
Same with Chase. He wears a happy mask most of the time and he knows that if he ever takes a moment too long, he'll just stop and crumble. He can't. He has to make sure he's all smiles, especially for Buddy. Especially for the Keys. Especially for Prunella.
