[Fugo follows Basil up, reluctantly unwinding his multi-limbed embrace, the fins on his legs idly flicking to set themselves right after not having much room to move. It's obvious, between the question and Basil's following body language, that this isn't the outcome Basil was expecting. This, too, is familiar. Except this time, Fugo is the one offering an unexpected kindness.]

It's okay. [Fugo falls quiet, rolling a thought in his mind. Then, when he speaks, he offers Basil his hand.] When you're used to taking care of things on your own... it's just easier to expect that people won't be there.

[From a very early age, Fugo learned not to expect things. Of course his parents were never home to eat with them; they had more important things to do. Of course his brothers wouldn't let him into their room after a bad dream; they hated him, because being a prodigy was more novel than a matched pair of twins. Of course his grandfather would never tell him it's alright if he produced less than perfect results on a test or at the piano bench; his high expectations were meant to help Fugo grow.

Expecting nothing meant less disappointment. Wanting nothing meant hurting less, even if only by a little.]

I need to be reminded it doesn't have to be that way too, some-- [A pause. Then he smiles, a bit self-deprecating, and shakes his head.] Often.

It surprises me all the time, that I don't have to be alone if I don't want to be.