[in the back of his mind, he knows he'd gone too far in saying what he said, but he doesn't have it in him to walk it back and apologize right this second -- not when pidge is snapping right back. on the one hand, there's a twisted sense of vindication from the confirmation bias he's getting about some deep rooted suspicion that his presence here is throwing a monkey wrench into the happiness everyone else has achieved for themselves, but on the other hand he knows he's messing up -- letting his temper get the better of him. <>again.

but the other element of all this is that her reaction is well and truly the first time since being in johto that he's found any of his friends relatable. if the complacency they've achieved is a paper thin facade, then that's the most relatable sentiment.

there's a deep breath and then:]

So you're just accepting it for what it is. What have you or the others here even tried in order to get back home? Don't wanna go reinventing the wheel.