... sounds like you were doing pretty well for yourself. I'm impressed.

[Not just from Beat's words, but from the thoughts skittering on the surface. And it's a genuine sentiment, too - not a hint of sarcasm in those words.

Josh goes silent for a moment after that, those thoughts leaving a sort of... not exactly sour, not exactly bitter taste in his mouth, an anxious tightness in his throat and chest that he can't rationalize. He's being compared to another him, and it shouldn't bother him. He isn't the one that Beat wants to be with, so it's fine. There's another him out there that's been twisted by the same fog that twisted Beat, and that's who Beat wants. That's who Beat is pining for. Altogether different.

So why does he feel like disappearing? Hm.

He doesn't, though. Not yet. Not now, not in the middle of investigating. It's so easy to compartmentalize. It's so easy to put distance between himself and... whatever that is.]

If it's ever too much for you, by the way, just say so. I'm just fine on my own. Wouldn't want you making things worse for yourself on my account.