[ despite himself, he laughs a little at the compliment, accepting the hand up without more than a moment's hesitation. atsushi really is a good boy, isn't he? he'd taken him into the agency on little more than a whim brought on by what the teen had said, but.. he's glad he did. who knows where he'd even be now if not in the agency.

once he's on (temporarily) steady ground again, he shrugs, lifting a hand to gently flick the boy on the nose. ]

Don't admire me too much. [ for many reasons. ] My priorities are just different, right? [ his lips part, and for a brief moment, he's maybe the slightest bit tempted to really talk to him-- but it passes as his grin returns. ] After all, I'm always thinking about a good way to die!

[ he turns away again, staring up at the rest of the mountain they still have to climb. ] .. Ugh. This is the worst. I'm being punished. --Do you think there's a rope up there? [ not actually to hang himself with this time.. ]