He's quiet for a moment, thinking. Remembering. Sliding a hand up into Neil's hair and stroking slowly.

"In the Realm, no one ever just did shit for anyone else. Without wanting something back." He half smiles. "Except Florence, but you know she was like... every kind of exception. But I never really called anyone a friend until Hobbes showed. Never wanted to give a shit. It was safer."

He lets out a slow breath. "It's... a hard fucking idea when you're not used to it."