Jude puffed his cheeks out with a held breath and then let it out in a rush. "Well, fuck, hey. I'm pretty sure a brain shouldn't be built to deal with deep-and-meaningfuls when sleep-deprived and jet-lagged but holy shit, did I need to hear all this, love." He drew his lower lip between his teeth and before continuing, he looked up at the stars, letting all of Reecy's words sink in and log away somewhere safe where he knew he would call on them again later when he was alone with a lot to think about. "I think that level of introspection Justin often gets lost in only comes when you've nearly lost your life. And he's been there multiple times. I can say without a shadow of a doubt, doing the job I do, I see that sort of thing in people who have been through a lot of trauma. Like, Jace, Lincoln, Lewis, Brandon. They just see life differently. It's really fucking heavy and a kid Justin's age shouldn't have it. He does, though, and seriously, that's... fuck. I think that's exactly where I'm at. I don't know what I'm feeling but I have to feel it. It's not bad feelings at all, just intense. I mean, I know you set us up and kinda eased us into it but I don't think either of us really expected it would fit. Whatever I'm feeling, it's intense and I guess I... I'm scared he's not feeling the same. Winston's a sweetheart and he's so laidback but he's not easy to read. He has this, like, mysterious mischievousness to him and it's fucking adorable. But it's new and it feels a lot like maybe deep down, he's my type and I just never knew it before? I feel like I'm talking shit. Do I sound like I am? Sorry, my brain's fried. Being on sick bucket duty and just wanting to help him in any way I can. Do you think he's in the middle with me? The hope thing, I mean? Reec... how are you? Like, really deep down, I mean? With the baby? I wasn't sure it was my place to ask. It's a massive thing to adjust to when you thought it wasn't something you wanted to do again."

He stared at her, falling into a stunned silence he really didn't mean to do. He blinked, trying to take in what she just said. "You mean, Kyan helped his mom pass?" He took a few more moments before he went on. "You know that Peyton help Andi, yeah? I mean, I assume Justin would've told you once Sasha found out. I know it was a shock for him. Peyton and I work together a lot and we've talked about it. I mean, fuck, it's even something Billy spoke to me about when he was going through chemo and he was at his lowest. There's no easy way to face any of it and I'm honestly not surprised Kyan got smashed when the pain was brought back up being back in his hometown. I know you'd want to do nothing but protect him and take care of him. You guys are perfect together. In every way. I'm glad you found each other."