[ As expected, he doesn't elaborate on where he's been — and now that they're in opposing factions, there could very well be legitimate reasons for secrecy. There's plenty she can't discuss with him on her end, after all. In reality, she has no ground to complain on; it's her own worries and frustrations that nag at her.

In Horos they spent plenty of time apart, but it still felt like she had easy access to him. Now it feels like he's moved two towns over — though that fails to capture the vastness of the space that actually exists between their positions now. She wonders if this is something like being homesick, though obviously Gen is not a house.

He says he'll never say no if she calls for him. For food, though she has no doubt he'd come regardless. ]

I'll let you know.

[ If he comes more often, Eustace can see him too. Gray resolves to bake something again soon.

She begins to hold the basket out again for him to take, reconsiders the movement, and then steps forward to wrap him in a one-armed hug soft and warm with feeling. With disregard for his shitty teenager obliqueness, she makes a clumsy bludgeon of her heart. ]

If you're ever hungry... or if you miss eating something, I'll make it for you. But you have to let me know.