Yeaaaaaaaaaaaauuup. [said as he takes another drink. he's finished the bottle already. he goes over to put it in the bin, but doesn't go for another one.] Sometimes you just gotta.

We're still beings that desire connections and love of any kind, no matter how much of a caffeine-fueled robot we pretend to be, or no matter how much we insist everything is fine. [he looks a little surprised at her evaluation of rex and martin, but doesn't dwell on it.] Like I said, despite all the pain it causes you'd rather have them than not, aye?

[he sighs, leans against the counter.]

I don't know. I hardly handle it well when they leave. I still think that loving someone is the worst feeling I've ever felt, but here we are. [he makes a face.] Can I break through this depressing curse to say for five seconds to just focus on what you've got while you have it?

[it turns out he can, because despite his cynicism, archie is still an optimistic person at his core.]

Maybe one day they won't be here, but they are now.