[and that's something dependable in Sousuke that Rin cherishes; how he always, always, believes the best in Rin. Rin reciprocates that feeling, fiercely, and it's half the reason they fight so much -- like family members thinking they know best for one another, with their intentions all in the right place (though execution sometimes sloppy). Rin cares deeply for Sousuke, and its in moments like this one that he knows Sousuke cares just as deeply back. even when Rin doesn't believe he's strong, Sousuke does]

[annoyingly, he feels kind of overwhelmed; it's such a relief to get everything out in the open, like shrugging off a weight he didn't know he'd been carrying (for much longer than Sousuke's most recent stay in Holly Heights)]

Ch, try saying that a few months from now. Without the people you care about here, it's just a dead end with nice hedges.

[which brings him to his next instinctual response]

I'm -- glad you're here now. Shut up, alright? It's fine to lean on me, about being here, too. ...Just 'cuz you could do something on your own doesn't mean you have to.

[a lesson hard in learning for Rin, and Sousuke (because everything, everything, everything, comes back to swimming, and the stupid crap -- and less stupid crap -- they thought as kids)]