I prefer not to be optimistic at all. Again, if I expect the worst then there won't be a surprise.

[ Though it speaks to a lot of other things that this is his mindset. Honestly, it's because if he anticipates the worst at all times and doesn't have any expectations for a positive outcome, then his already fractured and shattered heart won't have to deal with that pain.

Yet it's also because, in the end, he's simply been conditioned that way. It is going to take more time to break him of these habits and thoughts completely. ]

Time between to do what though? Exactly how do you think I should be filling the space then?