[The knee gesture is very much appreciated, and Dist does come to his senses again. His eyes are tinged with a bit of pink, but he managed to not completely lose it. He's embarrassed of course, his gaze darting off to the side before eventually settling on where Kato has his hand on his knee, but he knows it's going to be this way for a while. There are still a few things about being in a relationship that genuinely overwhelm him and this-being reminded he's not alone, Kato willing to help him through a genuinely large struggle in his life-is definitely one of them.

Again, he is reminded how fortunate he is to have Kato here.

He lets Kato's words sink in, nodding every so often to let him know that he's listening loud and clear and that he's taking it to heart. Of course he falters a little bit at the last part, but it's still good to hear. He's being given an outlet to actually talk about this, and maybe that's what he's needed all along.]

I promise that it wasn't intentional. It was simply the natural thing for me to do because I've done it for years. As you said, I'm just not used to this.

[Just talking about it now, talking about the possibility of moving on makes his chest ache just a little bit. It's hard letting go of something, or someone in this case. Especially someone like Jade. Jade had already let him go years ago, but he never could do the same.

Years later, two and a half of them being in Johto, he's finally ready. He wants to believe that.]

I- I dedicated my life to Jade and the Professor, so I know it is going to be a very rocky transition. But I have had a few years to get it started...

[He places a hand on top of Kato's, smiling distantly.]

...and someone to help me finish it.