Yeah? Thanks...!

[ given that everyone else there DID cave to some extent, he will accept this as an actual impressive thing worth complimenting and feel flattered by it. instant mood boost. he would probably be blushing a little right now except his blood is not currently circulating. ]

I suppose I can be kind of stubborn sometimes, haha...

[NOT HIS BLOOD. it's fine, we are just going to be grateful he did not join our five-body pileup.]

Pretty sure being stubborn is gonna be one of the things we need to get out of here. This place...really, really wants to make us cave in different ways. This feels like another attempt, but you got through it. You should be proud of yourself for at least that much. Even if the rest will take time to heal from.

["you came back", goes unsaid. that's enough.]