There were a few things Sefton understood now, better than he had ten years ago. He had gotten better at expressing his empathy, at least with his friends, despite his unwillingness to show it most of the time. He still had trouble allowing himself to give in and understand the other side when it was anything besides Important, with a capital I. This had been Important, though, considering Lance's reaction and tone of voice.

(Sometimes, if it was centered around himself, the Importance still didn't matter, but he was getting better. Slowly, a little less than surely, getting close to allowing himself the slack. He could be there for a friend, as few as he had, but letting a friend be there for him was something else, much more circumstantial.)

"I got a look at the readings when the knob went crazy," Sefton offered, glancing away from Lance's emotional expression. "If I can get it down somewhere 'fore I forget, I bet that'd do it."