Mori looked up, meeting her eyes. Just try, his mind told him. He smiled, shaky and unsure, but present. "I'm being careful. I promise. No more collapsing."

There, see? He was not broken. It was not too late. He may have been out of it, but he could keep a handle on this. He could control the outcome.

"Derek mentioned apple pie? That's a New World dessert, is it not? I'm curious to try it." The Morbid Socialite was unsure on their feet, trying to hide their wincing and biting their lip to hide the pain. They could manage. He had to manage. He let the smile fall when she wasn't looking.