Shallow breaths left the man, his oxygen restricted while a hand rubbed at the set of gills at his neck.

"S-Sorry -- I"

He'd pause, feeling himself grow nervous -- again feeling like that young boy he once were, so shy, afraid, so different.

"I just mean that...If I had been myself I would have--" He felt warm, unsure of himself & his gills seemed like they were drying out.

"I— I...." ++

"I'd like that.."

More often than not, it remained difficult residing on the surface, even as time has gone by, things were much different than before..& yet Dick always knew how to make it feel like home.

Even in the most difficult of times, even through the rough patches of the life of the Titans. ++

"It's just not exactly how I would have pictured it."

"If there's an allure..typically it makes it easier to fall victim to." He cleared his throat, purple eyes darting to one side & then back again.

"I remember most things..and definitely that part." He drew his bottom lip into his mouth, chewing at it while considering his words. ++

In truth, being away in the sea, busied by where his loyalties lie, he had missed their banter.

& Truth be told he had missed Roy, not that he'd care to give him the pleasure that came with admitting that.