[ the idea of having something to call his own is such a foreign concept to sariel. he thinks about what that means for the longest time, blue eyes gazing over the space in front of him as though it could disappear at any moment. much like the simulated park from his memories, the way it fell apart into bits of pixels and data near the end.

when he looks back at belial, there's a part of him that wonders if this exchange is just as fleeting too. he closes his eyes when those fingers ruffle through his hair, when belial smiles like he always does while he carries the conversation with ease.

it's a nice feeling, he thinks, even if it won't last forever. ]

I don't need this much space. [ he says again, quiet and steady. ] Not even for the ants or other friends.

[ does he even have other friends to begin with? as far as he knows (given what little he understands about friendship), there is only one who matters and they're already here -

and then something dawns on him. ]

But if you would like to share it, then maybe...

[ maybe it might seem less daunting. ]