…Declan told a much better story than Aoba did, the man thought> Aoba’s eyes remained open just enough to show that he was still awake and listening the whole time, even if he was drifting closer and closer to sleep.

So okay, Declan’s offered myth did end more happily for the couple involved as far as their time together went, but after a little bit of thoughtfulness, Aoba chuckled drowsily. Declan didn’t agree with Orihime’s father as a stand-in for the Traveler…and no way did Demeter sound like Tae Seragaki.

“Granny would never hate you,” he murmured, in that slow manner that the soon-to-be-sleeping tended to. He didn’t think Declan really thought his Granny would disapprove of him, but given how the night had gone so far, Aoba was willing to expend the effort on reassuring even the things he didn’t think were serious.

Sleepy efforts, maybe, but efforts nonetheless.