Deep inside, Iris feels a flicker of fear at Wilhelm's admission. It's a small, reflexive thing; fear responding to fear, or fear simply begetting more. Were he any lesser, he might protest — If you're scared, and I'm scared, then who's driving the bus? — but he has had a lot of opportunity to grow, both here and back home. And here too, specifically, with Wilhelm. He's got much more growing to do, that much he knows, but already he can feel how the Iris now is so much more different than the Iris that had first crawled out of the waters in Thorne's summoning. And maybe that in itself is just enough for now.

"That's okay," he says, with enough certainty he hopes it's comforting. "I think it's supposed to be scary, so you're already right on track."

His smile is weak, but only because that attempt at levity is weak. He shrugs, squeezing Wilhelm's hand so there isn't even a milimeter of space between them.

"This place... It's been a home to you for a while now. But you did that. Not Thorne, not Abraxas." A poignant pause. "Not even Kyle."

Iris likes Kyle. He likes Viktor too. But he wants to make sure the consideration of following them isn't based on something that might hold Wilhelm back, but rather something that'll propel him forward. There's comfort, in following after someone who has led you along this whole time, and kept you steady. It's all fine so long as it's comfort, and not dependence. (That's reserved for Iris, thankyouverymuch.)

"Wherever we go, we can make a new home again. And maybe you can finally meet Penny, too."

That's right, he still hasn't given up on his sorta-sentient mechanical hand bestie. How could he?