[ Imagine thinking that nothing would top having to awkwardly navigate a birthday celebration, only to get hit with crying right afterward. Dokja balks once he realizes what's happening, his posture stiffening as he stands there in tense silence because what else is he supposed to do? Not only is he piss poor at comforting others in the first place, but he imagines that any sort of comfort that comes from a practical stranger would be more uncomfortable than anything else.

And despite living together in this house, they are strangers to each other. The one single tie they had is no longer present, and in this moment, Dokja wishes more than ever that Eustace was here to be the person that Gray needs right now.

But he's not here, as painful a reminder as that is, so Dokja makes do. He's not sure why Gray's crying, but if her comment is anything to go by... ]

Sorry, [ he says hastily as he starts for the kitchen drawers. ] Maybe we have more candles somewhere? Ah, I thought... [ Actually. ] I wasn't really thinking about it?

[ It just seemed like a better idea than guessing wrong and ending up with a one or two candle difference, but maybe teenagers are more sensitive than he'd thought!! He hasn't been a teenager in a while so he wouldn't know. Oh God, the candle wax is starting to melt on the cake.]

I can get more candles if we don't have them.