"No one is perfect, least of all me," Declan replied with a soft cluck of his tongue. Spreading a big hand wide, he rubbed up and down Aoba's back, as comforting as possible, the other hand resting between the man's shoulders and pressing, firm but gentle.

"You have so much more on your plate than I can even begin to understand, Aoba. I think under the circumstances you're doing admirably. I can't imagine being torn from my own world and time, thrust into others at random, forced to adapt time again, then finding out that your whole life you've been deliberately fractured, and worse, you have no explanation for any of it and no one to ask. Aoba...a lesser man would be crushed under all of that. Have more faith in yourself. You're really quite impressive."

That said, punctuated with a few solid pats, and Declan nodded towards the food.

"Now you have to brave my cooking. I doubt there's a challenge you can't face."