[He didn't realize a person could put so much emotion into one word. It encompasses so much more than that. It's I love you. It's I look forward to it. It's all the things he will never say out loud, but feels no less strongly.]
I'll make sure they don't forget that.
[As if they could.] You've grown. You know that, don't you. [It's still part of their mirror. They both have. Erik doesn't know if he looks at it as a father or a brother or as if he's appraising himself, but there's a trace of pride in his voice, his eyes. He's been proud of Alex for a long, long time.]
private
[He didn't realize a person could put so much emotion into one word. It encompasses so much more than that. It's I love you. It's I look forward to it. It's all the things he will never say out loud, but feels no less strongly.]
I'll make sure they don't forget that.
[As if they could.] You've grown. You know that, don't you. [It's still part of their mirror. They both have. Erik doesn't know if he looks at it as a father or a brother or as if he's appraising himself, but there's a trace of pride in his voice, his eyes. He's been proud of Alex for a long, long time.]