[ interpersonal relationships truly are complicated, aren't they? he'd never had the thought before— that his world could ever amount to anything more than his younger brother, not until recently. and he has to wonder if that's what she's thinking, too, from the way she says she'd like to think so. ]

Simple in a vacuum, yes.

[ it gets harder to look at her now that she seems to have more or less sobered up; it feels almost intrusive to with the subject of their conversation, opting to turn his attentions to the centre piece of their evening. he doesn't quite feel the crackling bonfire, but the warmth simulates the parts of his brain that allow him to pretend he does, temporarily basking in the sensation. ]

But unless we're willing to give up our individuality, I'd wonder where that acceptance would lead us. [ lee wishes he had questions; all he has are inevitable decisions to make. ] Otherwise, why seek answers?