He does, in fact, have a really cool hat. And a cool accent. And horses. I've been teaching him to read, and he's gonna teach me to ride. I can introduce you to him, if you want?

[ Because these good things aren't just his, now. They can be Allison's, too. Ben doesn't want her only thinking about the things and people she's separated from, the world that neither of them can get back to at the moment. He wants her to understand that there is a good life to be lived here, while she is in this place. ]

It is. I've been... trying to give him a bit of a longer leash, I guess. I think it wasn't helping all that much, me hovering around and watching him all these years.

[ Since he had, in fact, been there. Been there all those times that Allison, and the rest of them, hadn't listened to Klaus when he said it. Of course, Ben understands why. He knows all the reasons none of them would listen to Klaus's words. It wasn't ever ideal, but he always got it.

He looks up at Allison, eyes flicking to that stark white bandage, and Ben's smile falters slightly. He asks, concern creeping into his tone of voice: ]

Are you... in any pain? I know where the medbay is if you... if you need anything.