[The hand moving against Walter’s back slows to a stop as Benjiro hears that hollow laughter, and his heart cracks. The worst. That an Echo cannot only change their bodies but the qualities that define who they are certainly qualifies. His throat tightens at the thought of losing everyone he has grown so close to here in a spiral into the depths of a kind of madness, but he rejects it the next instant. Fervently, he refuses.

For a handful of ticks on a clock, he gives a slightly tighter hug before he releases to slide his hands back to Walter’s shoulders and lean back only enough to look at his friend’s face.

His friend whom he trusts.]

We’re not beat yet. You’re still a good person, Walter. One of the best. You’re patient, and kind, and you absolutely go out of your way making a weird kid from Japan feel wanted.

We’ll figure this out together.