[ (It's good Asriel doesn't put that bit aloud: it would have been tragically funny.) ]

There is that.

[ He sits back with a low breath like settling relief or resignation, his hand still in Asriel's. ]

It's a start, anyway. Pretty sure step two is not being a dick to her friends, and step three is being there to ask how her day went, and then I kind of lose track around the other steps, it probably involves sports.

[ A beat, and: ]

I'm working on step two.