I was trying to protect you. I tried so hard, and I did so many terrible things. I shut you out. I didn't want you to be at risk...!

[ His voice gets louder and more broken the more he goes on, and it doesn't sound like he's talking directly to Hide as much as he's babbling emotionally to himself.

He does go silent for a bit after trailing off, picking at his nails nervously with his teeth. Before he knows it, he's eaten off his fingertips. Shit. ]

I think this is something I should tell you in person. Do you want to meet me...?

[ There's a nervousness in that, like he's expecting the answer to be no. ]