[ So even gods suffer the effects of addiction and withdrawal. He'd had the feeling it was going to be bad after seeing evidence of what heavy usage did to other people. But there's no desire to say I told you so; there's only regret that he wasn't able to help. That Tech Boy never let on how bad it was, and presumably chose to handle it completely alone.

With the string connection, all K'd had to deal with was the acute separation anxiety whenever they were apart. It's hard to imagine managing that while also going through extreme withdrawal... ]

I wish I could've helped. If you're ever that bad off again, for any reason, I'd like you to tell me. Don't shut me out. That's the only way this— [ Gesturing between them. ] Is going to work. I signed up for the good and the bad.

[ His delivery is too gentle to be taken as a lecture, at least by the standards of most people. But having learnt how sensitive Tech Boy is to any perceived criticism, he attempts to further soften the impact of his words by slipping his hands beneath the god's shirt, languidly stroking along his sides in soothing motions. ]

You can not-sleep with me if you ever want to. [ And K knows how that sounds, judging by his small smile. Barring recovery from injuries, he requires less sleep than his human counterparts, so Tech Boy could have conscious company for most the night. ] What other things are you paranoid about?

[ At that obvious hesitation, he nods toward the vape to indicate he'll try it. But his own hands are otherwise occupied, so it's up to Tech Boy to decide how he wants to share it. At worst it may not have much of an effect on him, K figures, but he's curious now. ]