[Jasper tries not to look too visibly relieved that Hendrik just let the subject drop. He fails, but, you know. The change in topic is welcome.]
Come now, Hendrik, I am sure you have enough on your plate. You have certainly been a great help tonight, but I imagine I will be able to take things from here. I am sure there is some reading I can do to ensure that I know what I am doing.
[...]
Though, as I am sure you are already invested, you are welcome to visit us at any time to see how things are progressing. Thinking about it, you probably should visit regularly enough that she is acclimated to you so I do not have to deal with her being intimidated by the enormous general living across the hall. It would not do to have her burst into tears at the very sight of you.
[...because he’s not going to come out and say “it was nice getting to spend time with you again, can we do this more often, I missed you a lot,” no matter how strongly he feels it. There are some things he’s still privately angry about, but actually talking to Hendrik, it it doesn’t feel like he’s changed half as much as Jasper had thought.]
no subject
Come now, Hendrik, I am sure you have enough on your plate. You have certainly been a great help tonight, but I imagine I will be able to take things from here. I am sure there is some reading I can do to ensure that I know what I am doing.
[...]
Though, as I am sure you are already invested, you are welcome to visit us at any time to see how things are progressing. Thinking about it, you probably should visit regularly enough that she is acclimated to you so I do not have to deal with her being intimidated by the enormous general living across the hall. It would not do to have her burst into tears at the very sight of you.
[...because he’s not going to come out and say “it was nice getting to spend time with you again, can we do this more often, I missed you a lot,” no matter how strongly he feels it. There are some things he’s still privately angry about, but actually talking to Hendrik, it it doesn’t feel like he’s changed half as much as Jasper had thought.]