Everything Alex said made sense to Dal. It was reassuring and actually drove home that Alex did care. He didn't want to make Dal uncomfortable, but he also didn't want him thinking something was wrong or weird between them. It was very thoughtful. Dal smiled up at him and nodded in understanding. "Take as long as ya need."

Honestly, if things remained much as they were, Dal would be grateful for that. He's just happy to have Alex around. He may be blunt and sometimes a little down on himself, but he's been nothing but respectful and forthright when it mattered. That's a lot to Dal. He'd be happy enough just to have Alex as a friend, if not something else. And if they get to spend more time like this together while Alex figures himself out, that's win, too.

"Hope ya like him. He's one of my favorites."

Though he may not look it, the nature of Dal's life left him perceptive to the point of hyper-vigilance. So, of course, he notices when they've been walking a while and someone else was taking all the same twists and turns some distance behind them. Maybe Alex noticed, too, given what Dal knew about his past and all. He tucked in a little closer against Alex's side and lifted his cup before quietly muttering, "Someone's behind us."