It would drive Aaron mad to be alone right now, he knows that much. He's never been a people person, exactly, but he knows he shouldn't be alone when he's upset. Eric was always there, always willing to set some time aside for him. He has no interest in proving a dead man wrong.

The idea of finding something to protect, though. Aaron smiles, and for once it's not strained. "Of course you would," he says softly. "That's what you are."

But me, I... No, Aaron has no ambition to turn the subject selfishly back to his foibles.