[Luca accepts the mug with a grateful nod. He lifts it up, carefully sipping at the liquid. It's nice to have something to hide behind.]

I understand. I would do the same, were Kiera interested in this sort of thing.

[Once upon a time, her lack of romantic attraction had disappointed him, solely because he'd never get to give the big brother talk. That was years in the past, though.]

I promise I do not intend to intentional hurt him. Unfortunately... [He trails off. Joshua doesn't need him to say it out loud. The Forest hurts, and it takes, and it corrodes. He can promise his intentions, but they both know it might not make a damn lick of difference.]