I don't know. It isn't all that bad. This place gave me you back. [ He counters. As if getting to have Jack and Ana around and alive makes up for all the crap. But there it is.] Besides, most the nice things still are going to those that need it. [ The gifts the people of Waver give him for being a "hero" he gives up. This place is all he needs. The rest, it goes to the needy. The war is averted for the moment, but that doesn't mean that there aren't still people that need his help. He'll continue to do that, even if he's also going to be Champion of their people as well. He couldn't rest if he knew he could do more to help.

His smile slips then. It slips and he can't look at Jack anymore. He shifts heavily in his chair. This, he's not used to. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but he doesn't talk about things like this. He never talked about how he had felt after Eichenwalde. He didn't talk about how much it hurt to get forcibly retired. He doesn't want to talk about this.

But it's Jack. He thinks Jack will understand.]

It...comes and goes. Some days, I can't sleep at all. I feel the bugs and the poison and the fire. If I close my eyes, I'm floating in nothingness again. I see Balderich and the others, waiting for me. I can't go to them yet. And, don't tell Ana, but sometimes my leg still acts up. I had pretty bad burns that the Natha couldn't fix. She did her best but I really really don't want another shot.

How...are you...is it bad for you too?