(He just sighed and laid his head on his arms.)

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, the stream probably wouldn't let you tell me anyway.

Well, that's a given..! But... something has to be bad to balance out the good..! That's how it's always worked for me...

Wh–! No, there has to be some kind of catch! I can't have the best future imaginable without some kind of downside..!

(He nodded quietly, then glanced at her.)

That almost makes everything seem too good to be true. No hiding, married, adopted daughter, what's next, I'm filthy rich?

(He laughed with her, then sighed softly.)

We all do... you saw it earlier and helped me realize something I needed to work on myself. Blinded by the fact that I thought I was doing the right thing.

(He laughed warmly.)

Of course, how did I not notice! I have the best example of this sitting right next to me!

(He chuckled with her.)

Thank goodness... I'd like to hope that I'm a good judge of character in the coming years.

That's good to hear. And I hope my...

(He smiled a little, the idea warming his cheeks.)

... I hope my partner is kind too, whoever he may be.

(He hummed softly.)

I wonder what I'll be like in 20, 40 years. Obviously you can't tell me everything, but I'm glad I'm still kind.

I do wonder what I'll see when the time comes. Who I'll see in the young girl I meet.

Well, I was just some guy at first, wasn't I? I did become important, but first I was just me.

Then some guy comes along, hah... that's something I never expected, honestly.

Good point...

(He glanced at her quietly.)

Have you been a fan of the stars since you were younger?

(He smiled softly.)

Watching over us early, eh? Don't think I've noticed it in the day to often, that's neat.

(He just smiled and looked back up to the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily by.)

I'm used to it at this point... as long as I can be there for Angie now and you in the future, that's all that matters to me.

(He chuckled softly, then sighed.)

I'm sorry... I suppose we share something in that regard...

Though I can physically see my father whenever I want, it's like he doesn't want to be here.

I did once, it was quite nice. However it was cold and misty in the morning, so I fell ill afterwards, haha..! Downside to sleep away camp.

(He leaned on his arms and hummed softly.)

It's too bad we can't see it all more... curse these bodies, being awake during the day.

She keeps your secrets too... the letters, the quiet moments...

*Even when you aren't home...*

Huh..! That's quite interesting, actually..!

I've always found the moon and stars to be a comfort, as much as I love the day. Lets me feel like I'm not being watched.

It does? It's always looked the same to me.

... maybe I'm not seeing it right.

Ah, I see.

(He fell quiet for a moment, thinking.)

I wonder if we'll ever see the other side of it.

(He hummed softly, then looked up at the sky.)

What were you looking at earlier? Just the clouds?

I presume he never mentioned it then? I wonder why...

Well, sort of, hah, the learning has to come from somewhere.

(He leaned back and sighed softly.)

I wonder if I would've been different if you hadn't come back this way instead of going where you planned..?

(He chuckled lightly.)

I'll do better. Me being from your past isn't much of an excuse, is it? If I want to be my best, and especially be a good dad, I have a lot of work ahead of me to improve.

... I try to be my best, but it does seem I still have a lot of learning to do.

(He smiled weakly.)

No, it's okay... you're right. Calling everyone weak because they're not as physically fit or able bodied is... extreme, I suppose. Far too oversimplified.

Just because my intent was good, it didn't change the hurt my words caused.

(Before long he stood, glancing out his window and spotting her in the grass. He took a moment to steel his nerves before quietly heading outside and sitting under the same tree.)