（ if he's surprised by the honesty or not, it doesn't show. but he does take another drink of his tea, and rachet one shoulder up higher than the other so he can rub the side of his head against it, like someone chasing away a brief itch. what would he say to a plus? he thinks about the little boy that was trapped in the parakeet, whose body had died without him ever realizing what had happened. how all he'd really needed was some kindness, that chad had been all too able to provide.

he exhales, and looks down at his mug. ）

It could be worse.

（ his tone's not harsh about it. instead, it's just quietly understanding. ）

Being here is shitty, I won't argue that. But at least we're not all being tortured or eaten alive or anything. We can eat food, make friends. It's not like it makes up for being away from our families, but...

（ 'you know'. he's not a touchy-feely guy. rarely ever touches even his friends. his love language is 'willing to take a sword through the chest for you'.

but he reaches out and punches jonas companionably in the shoulder. not hard, just. you know, guy things. teenagers bein' bros. ）

It's okay to be messed up by it though. That's a pretty normal reaction.