[ Fondly: ]

Metaphors.

[ He gives a little swirl to the chocolate in his cup, looking down at it pensively. ]

I suppose, also...Well. As you identified, the things he wants to talk about are painful things. Mage suffering, other suffering, his suffering. The heartstrings can only be tugged so much until they snap, and I was never a man with strong heartstrings. And they're under rather a lot of pressure of late.

So I wish peace with the boy. Why would I not? As you said, he's sweet. But.