( the fact that tommy is sitting here giving him life advice and actually making sense with it is--heavily surprising and extremely appreciated. it brings the first smile to his lips that he's had in--forever and a half, it feels like. )

Maybe I'll try it your way for a little while. No feelings, no relationships.

( it's meant to be a joke but fuck of billy doesn't mean it. tommy has--his issues, too, yes, but being a little more tommy-like to avoid further heartbreak sounds absolutely amazing. not that there's much left of his heart to shatter. he already feels like it's broken into thousands of tiny bits, broken glass pieces scattered all over the ground.

but billy's raising both arms and wrapping them around tommy, hugging him tight despite the protest he gets from bruised ribs. )

You're an absolutely amazing brother, Tommy. I'm--sorry I wasn't there for you, after we got out of there.