All of that makes sense, the Soldier thinks, gazing into the middle distance and resting their chin on the flesh hand while the metal one's fingers click in a gentle rhythm against the table-top. It's the tiniest amount of movement, and all they can engage in without bleeding again.

"Maybe if I see him again. I can tell him it's not all bad being broken." They're pretty damn broken, and yet here they are. Generally content, even if they're bleeding all over the place and their friends are going a little crazy. Just Beacon Things. "And broken can always get mended, even a little. If it's what he wants."

Considering how firmly Skyler had claimed to not want to learn, the Soldier is guessing he actually kind of does and is just afraid to. They understand that, too.