"I'm gonna talk to him and try not to act absurdly elated that you said you loved me and then spent most of the morning thoroughly proving it."

"Yeah, that might not seem very sensitive." She grabs his hair and kisses him. "I love you. Remember to actually eat lunch while playing counselor."

Jackson doesn't even notice his approach.

"Jackson?" he asks softly before taking a seat, trying to avoid startling the boy like he did the other day.

"Can I sit?"

"Mmhm."

"Tired."

"Hmmm. Didn't sleep well last night?"

"I... didn't. Sleep."

"Really? Why?"

"I was... up really late and then I was hungry so I came to breakfast."

"Why were you up really late?" he asks after eating a bit.

Squirm.

"Hm?"

Jackson takes a large bite of food and chews and doesn't make eye contact.

"Jackson?"

"Mm."

"I asked you a question," he points out, between bites.

"I was doing stuff. And then I was - walking. And then it was early."

"Hmm. New stuff?"

"Sort of."

"How can it be sort of new?"