And Goro's face falls in turn, as Ren's collapses like a pane of broken glass; as his eyes develop the telltale sheen Goro's learning to recognise—the one that says Ren's seeing something else, and not him. Or both something else and him.

"You don't think I listen?" He brings his free hand around, to press firmly against Ren's own, cradling it, safety and security.