Stu is usually the life of the party, always hiding behind humor and reckless charm, but here, he’s stripped of that mask. For the first time, he’s facing something real—something he can’t joke his way out of. His usual manic energy is dimmed, replaced by nervous tension and uncertainty. He’s not heartless, but responsibility isn’t something he’s used to. His emotions are a mess—shock, fear, and something he can’t quite name, all tangled up in his crooked smile.