[ You don't try to hide from yourself, around me. Jaime supposes that's true. He's more evasive around others, trying to present a front that isn't necessarily false, but isn't necessarily the truth either. There's no point in hiding around Ruka. She understands most everything he's been through, been through it herself and worse, and even without empathy on her side, she already knows everything. It would be ridiculous to hide around her. Useless, really. All that would do is drive her away.

Jaime's the one who pursues after those who don't wish to be chased. Ruka isn't. He lets that idea settle for a moment, nodding along to acknowledge that of course they're different - she doesn't let anyone else in. He doesn't think there's anyone else here quite in their position. Even if it was a different version of him, even if he doesn't remember it, they still have a history. He huffs out a breath, half a laugh. ]

Yeah. Me neither. [ He has more friendships than Ruka, perhaps, but none of them are the same. How could they be? ] I guess it's dumb to spend too much trying to, um, analyze that sort of thing? [ He crosses his legs, propping an ankle atop a knee. ] There's no point in hiding stuff around you. You get it. [ He glances at the recipe card in her hands. ] Even if you don't wanna.