He shoved a hand at the ground. "Maybe it would be worth it. Maybe I would have found a home when I'd wanted one. I would have belonged..." he shut his eyes, forcing back a tear or two. He remembered when Mechina had asked him if that's what he'd wanted, to belong. He'd said he'd belong ruling with him, would things have been better for him if he'd said yes? Would he have been happy? Would so much other pain have been avoided?

Was that really what Jason wanted most? To belong?

Not fully, it wasn't the only thing he'd wanted. But ... it would have been nice.

It definitely would've been, yes. It would've saved him a lot of heartaches.

And he was thinking of what it would have been like, but he found he felt sad rather than mad now.

Ash wasn't about to tell him that he still had a chance at a normal life, because he probably didn't.

And things would probably only get more crazy rather than normal, so it would be good if Ash didn't lie to him.

Well, Ash didn't plan on lying to him unless absolutely necessary

Well that was sorta good? I guess? Either way, Jason stood and shook himself out. He went to go put his hoodie back on, freckles gray and dark blue.

Ash wanted to help him feel better, but nothing he said seemed to help