Will spent some time sifting through his feelings. Then he spent more time, then more. He was boarding the centipede-train back to King’s Hollow when he decided that he felt… nothing, which was how he’d felt since the beginning.

It was as though there was a hole in Will’s thoughts. He knew, intellectually, that Virgil losing interest in him was a good thing.

It should have made things less complicated, but it didn’t. Instead, Will was posing questions to himself.

What changed? Was the most common one. Something had to have changed, was Will’s assumption, and it was the kind of assumption that you didn’t even realize was an assumption, it was just taken as true.

Had Will changed, or had Virgil? Had he done something wrong? Will knew he was overthinking things but he couldn’t help it. He was an overthinker by nature.

This was what had ended his last relationship, though that had been perfectly amicable. He was thinking more about Virgil now than he was about Julia then, which was a sobering thing to realize.

He was replaying every conversation he’d had with Virgil when Glory approached him.

“Whatever you’re about to say, It won’t help.” Will said, which was the first thing he’d said in hours.

“You’re overthinking things,” said Glory. “In fact, you’re overthinking about how you overthink things.”

“And that didn’t help,” said Will. He was staring out at the boreal forest, which was gray with half-melted snow.

“I’m just going to suggest that you talk to Virgil instead of retreating further into your own head.”

Will turned to Glory, frowning. “That’s the smart thing to do and one of the things I want to do the least right now.”

“I know,” said Glory. He turned to float away. “But if it makes you feel better, you’re not the only one trapped in his own head right now.”

Will went back to watching the forest go by.

The problem was… well, the problem was, Will wanted to be liked, which wasn't particularly novel in terms of human nature. Virgil being interested in him, even if it wasn't reciprocal (wasn't it?) was an ego boost. This was, in Will's opinion, bullshit that made no sense, but that was also not a terribly novel observation in terms of human nature.

It couldn't be that he was less against the concept of Virgil's... companionship, for lack of a better word, than he was willing to articulate. That was not possible. It was so not possible, that Will repeated this impossibility in his head.

What did he even know about Virgil, really? He was easily flustered. He was endlessly curious about earth, but Will suspected that was just because he liked to listen to Will's voice. But maybe it wasn't.

Virgil was accommodating and did his best to explain all the stupid shit Will was forced to put up with. He didn't like that his little villa used to be a bed-and-breakfast, and Will also suspected his relationship with his family wasn't great.

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Glory had said to Will once that Virgil was normally even more reserved, and that something about Will helped break him out of his shell. He was trying to play matchmaker, which wasn't Will's favorite thing in the world. But Glory did know what he was doing, probably.

Stupid. This was stupid. Why was Will entertaining this line of thought? Because he was stupid, that's why.

“Hey,” Virgil said, snapping Will back into meatspace. “Glory said you didn't want to talk.”

“He's right. Why did you come over, then?” Will asked.

“Because I don't want to talk either,” Virgil said, laughing weakly. “And maybe that makes it easier.”

“You seem less relaxed than earlier,” Will said. “What's... up?”

Stupid. Stupid thing to ask.

“I lied. About... being over it.” Virgil said. “I was feeling good, but, I, uh, lied.”

“Why?” Will asked.

”Because you wanted to hear that. At least, I thought you did.” Virgil said.

“I should've,” Will said. “In a sane world, I would've.”

Virgil sat down facing away from the window, meaning he was looking up at the ceiling of the train car. “I... hm. I'm sorry. For lying. I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut.”

“Yeah,” Will said. He cringed at his apparent heartlessness, and followed up with “I get it. I accept your apology.”

“Seven Scribes, this sucks,” Virgil said. “I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I... fuck. The first thing you ever said was that I kidnapped you, and that's true, and you're stuck, and you hate it here, and-”

“I don't hate it here,” Will said. “It... tries my patience, a lot. But it's not like earth didn't either. It's different bullshit back home, but it's all bullshit.”

Virgil laughed nervously. “It's all bullshit.” he agreed.

“You don't swear very much,” Will said. “Except now, apparently.”

“My father always told me off for it,” Virgil said. “Said it was bad for business.”

“Dumb,” Will said, barking a one-note laugh.

“I'm sorry.” Virgil repeated.

“You apologize too much,” Will said. “I do, too, though, so I get it.”

“I did kidnap you, though,” Virgil said meekly. “Well, me and Glory. It was a group effort.”

“And someday I'll get my revenge,” Will said. “After we save the world, okay?”

“I'll hold you to that,” Virgil said. Some life was returning to his tone.

“Yeah, sure, I'll leave you in the middle of the Nevada desert.” Will said. “That sound like a deal?”

“I can't tell if you're being serious,” Virgil said.

“Neither can I,” Will said, shrugging. He felt... okay. Glory's stupid advice was right, and just talking made things easier, which was bullshit. Next the angel was going to tell him he needed to drink more water.

“You know, if you were a girl, I'd definitely date you,” Will said, acting purely on stream of consciousness.

Virgil looked at him with an indescribable expression. “Is that a... normal thing to say where you're from?”

Will looked at Virgil and said nothing for a good while. “Sure,” he said finally. “Sure, yeah. Normal.”