[ he notices the renewed silence - an uncommon occurrence between the two of them, but understandable considering the circumstances. he's at least glad that they can sympathize with each other on some level, even if it's not 1:1. he stifles his own cough as he listens, wincing at the pain that begins to well into his wrist from the corsage-like flower growing from it. ]

You guys seemed close when he was around. Could've fooled me.

[ he gives him a smile, but it's a little weak. ] You mean a lot to him. Bloke didn't say a lot to me, but I could at least gather that much.