That was a little more reassuring, knowing that Aoba was able to make necessary repairs. He still thought he ought to have Ghost do a really in-depth scan, but for the time being it was enough to hear Ren tell him. After all, he trusted Exos and other constructed humans at their word, why not a tiny dog?

They sat like that for some time, Declan silent, feeling no weight at all on the sturdy tree-truck he called a leg as he stared off into space again, thoughts tumbling. The shower continued, the white-noise of the water oddly comforting, and he relaxed visibly with time. After a while he finally stopped clenching and unclenching his fist, reached over to remove his glove and carefully settled his marble white palm on the back onf Ren's shoulders, smoothing the fur back as gently as anyone could manage, let along a man his size.

He didn't think he'd ever felt anything quite so soft, particularly among synthetics. By the time Aoba returned, Declan was slumped back into the couch, carefully stroking Ren and staring at the ceiling.