Looking over at Reecy, Jude's forehead creased as he contemplated what she said. He settled into the sun lounge, crossing his legs to maybe buy himself just a tiny bit of time before he answered. "Does he? We're still figuring each other out. It's been so long, I forgot what this new relationship stuff feels like." He nibbled on his lip and tried to figure out if he should ask what was running through his mind. Until he remembered this was Reecy he was talking to and of course he fucking should. But remembering that, he also realised he was a little anxious about the answer and in the grander scheme of everything going on - why he suddenly found himself in Australia with Winston - it wasn't really a priority. Only, maybe it was because this new relationship phase of things was such a small window and it could make or break how any of it progressed. "Are you... sure you're okay with this? With Winston dating me? Like, beyond a blind date and a hookup."

"You know, you said something similar in the days after Justin nearly drowned at Bondi. It was when things were in a bad place with him and his folks and you'd offered to be his carer, for him to go live with you. Pretty much when you and I were well and truly on the rocks too. But you've always been there for him. You see him as a little brother but you take care of him like a parent, love. You have from day one. You more than know how it feels to have someone you love like a child being so poorly. You know what it's like to have them nearly die. And I'm sure there's no pain like it because I see it written all over you just like I do the parents of the kids I see banged up in the ER. Justin would never want you to keep your distance, so don't think you need to just because he has other family that care about him just as much." He put his hand over hers and gave it a little pat.