[he nods.] Yeah, and besides, you don't need someone like that in your life when you already have two awesome people in it.

[not that he knows anything about Ted's mom or grandma to begin with, but...it makes sense when he hears himself say it aloud. a good boy like Ted had to have been raised by two equally good people to get that way to begin with.

lucky kid.]

Heh. Thinking about it, you'd probably wouldn't even be the same if he had stuck around. Not nearly as fun for starters, and probably only half as cool as you are now.

[it's his little version of a pep talk. look, he even manages a grin - cocky and smug, sure, but not without warmth.]