[ Some of the tension in his fingers lets up as he hears Miles laugh. Things haven't changed so irreparably; he doesn't have to be entirely self-protective. It's hard to drop that habit, especially after what'd happened recently. Gregor just-- doesn't know about this timing either. It's all a huge mess. ]

Yes, I do, [ he says, quiet-toned, mood shifting. He can't sustain even that sort of light-heartedness with his mind weighing so heavily. His nerves prickle up and overwhelm him, claustrophobic, and words tumble out of his mouth, stilted and halting. ] I-- want you to know that I won't take our... new, surreal history... as reason to press anything on you. We needn't change anything. I know how important your promotion is to you.

[ What he's saying feels remote, like it's coming from a long way off. He barely hears it, is just stiflingly concerned that Miles will think he's pressured in any way. Hell, Gregor feels pressured. He's dealt with a lot of his issues in De Chima, but that seems like a bizarre dream half the time and finding out about his father is still so recent for him. It's a whole fresh set of nightmares he's barely confronted.

He stares at his own hands wrapped around his untouched drink, feeling restlessly anxious and bleak. ]