[ The hot chocolate is becoming cold chocolate by now, but this is more important he thinks. He "hears" but it's a different kind of hearing. Perhaps, he thinks, if he were to look at himself in certain moments it would feel similar. It's an absence and a constraint. People don't realize how loud trying not to feel at all can actually be, but he swallows that back. ]

[ He doesn't even need it to know he hit close from Sam's silence. He picks up the drink finally and takes a drink as he waits, but he doesn't look at the older man. He waits as he speaks - and he does - and puts the drink down cleanly. ]

I heard it from you.

[ Phoenix's own sense of quiet wraps around him, but his voice doesn't lower at the response. He doesn't look up again - yet - but there's no lack of sincerity that he gives. A tone more serious than his age should allow as he flickers a smile. ]

You came back to a place people call "a murdership" because you want a reason to live or die and talked about how intense situations make people bond more. It makes it sound like you need those intense situations to help you.

[ He draws a breath, retracts his hands from the cup to fold in front of him as his brows pinch together. ]

I also read people better than most people ever will... That's, not me being cocky or whatever and sometimes I can be wrong. But when people feel things intensely or I feel close to them, I hear them -here.

[ He taps his forehead. ] And I'm not saying I hear you, but when you hear dozens, hundreds, of people everyday tells become easier to see.