Taking a few moments to process the advice Kratos gives Lloyd, he takes another deep breath, pausing in his carving. It's amazing. He's been around this Kratos for all of six hours, yet this conversation is as emotionally vulnerable as the deepest conversation Lloyd had with his own Kratos. Differences in universes will do that, Lloyd guesses, staring at the block in his hand.

But then guilt sets in. This Kratos is being so open, so nice about this, like he has any reason to care, and all Lloyd can really think about is his negative experiences with his doppelganger. And - and now Kratos thinks he's just aversed to being grabbed, when the source of the fear is different, it's him, even though Lloyd shouldn't mind it -

He returns to carving, needing to deal with the anxious energy pumping through his veins. Isn't this what he wanted? Open dialogue with his father? What's his fucking problem?

"Yeah," Lloyd breathes out, hating how hard this is, how he wishes Kratos would stop looking at him because Lloyd can't find the will to look back, "yeah. I understand. Triggers are a bitch and people sympathize. I'm usually better about this, I just - I was surprised, is all. Not a big deal, really."

Lloyd grabs the square of sandpaper and starts smoothing down rough edges on central design of the center flat of the Aegis blade, silently thanking Malos again for giving him these tools. "I'll be open about it from here on out. Scout's honor!"

But the tension still lingers, and Lloyd hates it, hates how it makes him squirm a little, so he stops again, finally looking up at Kratos. "Thanks, again. And - uh. If you need my help, tell me and I'll try to. Help, that is."