[ Don't dish it if you can't take it, Bones would say. He's far too foul-mouthed and grouchy to get insulted by simple words -- and words he deserves, much less. Despite his appearance of being put together, he was definitely once held together by a very thin thread of sanity. He knows what it's like to hate everything about himself, and hell, sometimes he still feels like that.

Karma had fostered his talents, had been there for him... he would not be nearly as calm if it weren't for them, that's simply the truth.

But Bones simply observes Yuri as he takes in the oatmeal. At least he's trying.

Everyone's a work in progress. [ He shrugs. ] 'Fraid I can't help you much when it comes to talkin' to people -- you might not've noticed, but I'm pretty shit at doin' much besides yellin' and complainin'.

[ He says as if he didn't just, you know, actually show quite a bit of compassion and share something deeply personal about himself. But Bones would rather be known as a grouch than as a nice person. He doesn't believe he's particularly nice. He'll be happy if he can get Yuri that much closer to being... well, maybe less sad. That's all he can ask for, really.

They really do have stuff in common, huh. ]

I really don't, kiddo.

[ He doesn't mind, that is. He swivels his chair around so he's giving Yuri his full attention, though he's happy to turn back around if the kid would feel more comfortable with this being more casual. Despite his attempt at nonchalance, Bones really does pay attention to things. ]

I might be shit at talkin', but listenin' I can do, easy.