[...It's a much stronger reaction than he was expecting, really - all of this is more than he was expecting, in general.
He never expects help. That was simply the way of things; after the deaths of his parents, there was never any help, only the passing faces of those who decided they were unable to care for him, one after another. He'd realized only too quickly that the only help he could expect was from himself, and all else was something to be appreciated, but never relied on.
His appreciation for Boa in this moment is strong, and it shows in a wan smile as he turns to look at the other boy properly.]
You're full of surprises.
[He thought he'd had a pretty good read on Boa, too.]
...Thank you. Whether or not we find a way...
[He can appreciate the effort, at least. His grip loosens, still tense, but slightly less so than before.]
...It'll be something else to keep looking into. I can't very well return either way if I die, after all.
[This is as much energy he has to put into being positive right now.
2/2
He never expects help. That was simply the way of things; after the deaths of his parents, there was never any help, only the passing faces of those who decided they were unable to care for him, one after another. He'd realized only too quickly that the only help he could expect was from himself, and all else was something to be appreciated, but never relied on.
His appreciation for Boa in this moment is strong, and it shows in a wan smile as he turns to look at the other boy properly.]
You're full of surprises.
[He thought he'd had a pretty good read on Boa, too.]
...Thank you. Whether or not we find a way...
[He can appreciate the effort, at least. His grip loosens, still tense, but slightly less so than before.]
...It'll be something else to keep looking into. I can't very well return either way if I die, after all.
[This is as much energy he has to put into being positive right now.