"'Course I would. Fuck yeah I would," Avery replied. Obviously he would take that chance if he could. He'd longed for some of that specialness for himself, for years and years while he searched fruitlessly for the supernatural. Secretly, he kind of wanted Lyra to take him with her on her potential trip to the other side. So no, he didn't judge or begrudge that, but it didn't hurt to be honest about what people were actually feeling here.
Maybe that's why he enjoyed Apollo's attention so much, even if Lyra hated it, even if Apollo was dangerous. Not everybody got that kind of attention, and he didn't want to pass it up. It was for science.
"So maybe I'd get it if you were acting weird cos you're disappointed. Even if it's for the best." He picked at a bit of fluff on his sleeve and watched it float away, rather than making uncomfortable eye contact.