( That's a good question. He's not sure even he knows -- of who or what he wants to be going forward. There's not a lot out there for a slave turned Stoneheart turned.... whatever he is now. Dead man? He's sure, with the success of his mission, he'd be welcomed back into the fold without question -- Topaz likely already tried messaging him the moment she realized his phone was accepting messages again. But if he's going to go back, he wants it to be on his own terms. He thinks he has a lot to use as leverage now, more than he had as a murderer and a slave.

He sighs, shifting on his seat but still looking at the other man. )

Not sure. Thought I'd stick around here for a little while. It's not like you've got a lot of house guests normally, and-- ( Here he falters, and something about his eyes changes when he looks at Ratio. Softens around the edges. A slight desperation and wanting sliding into the corners. ) I want to be here. And not just because it's the safest place I could think of, but because you're here.

( He flicks the chip up into the air before grabbing it just before it falls past him. All in, he thinks, and this time, for once, does not hide the hand in a desperate grip. If there is one thing he is certain of, it's that whatever he feels for Ratio isn't just the warm companionship of coworkers, of friends. He wants...

He wants to know what it's like to have someone who cares about him. )