[Although Lance isn't looking at Ian, he can still perceive body language and the general sense of how he's reacting, and it makes it easier that he's just patiently listening. That doesn't stop him from mentally bracing for the verbal response to be something more difficult to deal with, but it isn't.

As much as the situation is frustrating in how little can be done, it's just incredibly reassuring to hear Ian put into words the things that Lance knows but second-guesses himself on; that all of this is so much to be dealing with, that the process isn't an easy or quick one, and that he's in the position of being his own best bet in terms of professional help. Hearing it from someone else makes it feel less like something that he's somehow wrong for still struggling with, even though he logically knew that already, and more like he's just been dealing with it the best he can be. Even if that 'best' is not great.

He's silent a few more seconds after Ian finishes, going over things in his head, then he sighs and leaves his glass alone before finally making eye contact.]

But I'm so good at following my own advice.

[It's a weak joke, but that's fine; it's just meant to be a way to acknowledge he's heard what Ian said and appreciates it, before getting serious again.]

Thanks. I just... Hadriel was bad enough, but I thought it was the end of it. Somehow it had all worked out, we'd done what we were supposed to do, and I was going to a friend's world to live there. But then I woke up in New Amsterdam instead, and it just started all over, and now...

[And now they're here, and it feels endless, like there's nothing past this. Like his life's gone full circle and it was just an illusion that he'd ever gotten out.

Still, he takes a deep breath and draws himself out of those thoughts, managing the faintest hint of what's hopefully a reassuring smile.]

I think it's just going to be a really bad transition period, but I'll figure it out.