"..................." Ryker was silent for a moment, before heaving a heavy sigh.

"I see." he said.

"So are you regretting it?" he asked.

"The home? The stability?" he asked further.

"...Aly?" he then asked him.

'The absolute HELL is that darkness?' he then thought.

"Woah, woah, okay, okay." Ryker responded.

"Well... there may be a solution to that." he said.

"What about backpacking in Europe sometime?" he suggested.

"See the countryside, take in the nature, that sort of thing." he clarified further.

"How about it?" he asked.

"That sound like it might be worth it?"

Ryker got out as well, shutting the door behind him.

"I can understand that." he said.

"If you need help figuring it out, we're here." he told him.

"But you know that already." he added.

"Now, you want company while you do this?" he asked.

"Or would you rather some time alone?" he asked further.

Ryker just sighed.

"I wish I knew the feeling." he said.

"But... well, I kind of do?" he went on.

"I used to care less as well, but in the worst way possible." he continued.

"...you know that all too well." he added.

"But fair enough, you don't have to be alone." he added, stepping close and pulling Eke into a brotherly side-hug.

Ryker followed him inside, and looked around as well.

"........hm." he mumbled.

"Looks like there's fish on sale." he commented.

"...really fresh stuff, too, it seems." he added.

In his mind, he was already thinking about what sort of trip would cheer Eke up.

Wherever it would be, it would surely need to be an adventure of sorts. Where they could return to nature and just be themselves in the wilderness. But where, exactly?

So many ideas swirled in his mind.

Ryker saw what Eke had grabbed, and couldn't help but smile.

"Heh." he chuckled under his breath.

"Hmmmm." he then mumbled.

"Lemon goes with that, I believe." he told Eke.

"Also, we should have a side with it." he continued.

"Salad or fries, you think?" he asked.

"Rice pilaf with a salad?" Ryker asked.

"...yeah. Yeah, that sounds good!" he said.

He then sighed quietly, and smiled as he saw Eke happy once more.

It was getting to be rarer and rarer, so he cherished it when it came along.

"You thinking about dessert as well?" he asked.

Hearing Eke make a joke like that caused Ryker to smile even more.

It was good to see him so happy and light-hearted again. It put his soul at ease.

"Ooooh." he said.

"Yes, let's hope so." he said further.

"Also, seems you're planning a right proper dessert. All fancy and made from scratch." he commented.

"Pulling out ALL the stops!"

Ryker just rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes." he said with a smirk.

But he then soon noticed that Eke was getting frustrated.

"Eh? What's wrong?" he asked.

"You look like you're getting flustered." he commented.

"......." Ryker was silent for a moment... before smirking and chuckling.

"Heh." he laughed.

"I see, I see." he said.

"You really are a romantic, aren't you?" he asked him.

"I bet she'll love them."