[ That brush against his mind makes him close his eyes and pause for a moment. Something about it instantly relaxes him and makes him forget about anything he's worried or stressed about. ]

I know you're right, that that's all we can do, but- [ Alan's brow furrows into a frown and he almost lets out a frustrated groan. He wishes that the path he needs to take could be clearer. Why can't the steps he needs to take be more obvious? Would that be too easy? Maybe. But he can't stop himself from wishing for it.

But then he hears Jesse's question, and his own frustrated questions grind to a halt in his mind. ]

It's not just because of the story. [ He may not be certain of very much, but he's certain of that one thing, at least. ] I wanted... I wanted you with me. Both of you.

[ Maybe it's his first time stating that so clearly, but he knew it was true even before he said it. ]

I wanted to be with you. I want to be with you. [ There's no past tense in his mind, just a future. Whatever future they can have together. ]