[ Again, he's not sure it's helping, but it doesn't seem to be making him worse. Harold is suddenly struck by the thought that perhaps this isn't something that can be helped, like him wandering around in a daze after the deaths of Elias and Root and John and then the Machine, booking a flight to Italy almost in a fugue state... that was just something that had to be endured until it passed.

Maybe trying to fix it is the wrong tactic entirely. He's always been someone who wants to fix, who sees a malfunctioning machine or a pressing problem and tries to find a solution. But there aren't solutions to people. ]

Bear helps me when I have nightmares, too. I won't tell if you won't.

[ He sounds honest, unapologetic, though his voice is soft to match Carver's. ]

You said you'd clean this place up some -- could you get started on that while I fetch Bear? [ Time alone with a simple task couldn't hurt. ]