[His lips tick up a bit more and he nods shortly, grateful for the understanding.]

Mm. That sounds exactly right.

[One day, they'll watch musicals and get up to the fun kind if mischief. One day, he'll share Jun's cooking with Loki and brag about how well he trained his partner. One day, they'll talk about more cheerful things.

But for now he just continues with his request.]

I haven't finished them all yet. But if you don't mind, I'll hand you some letters meant for those closest to me. You can keep them at the bottom of a drawer somewhere and forget them, unless I do disappear.

And there will be one for you, too, of course.