[ he thinks back for a moment to what he was told just a little earlier in the week - the casual mention of his earlier death. how terrifying it must feel, to know that you could lose yourself, but that you could lose your family for to an infection out of nowhere. how awful it is, when it hits. empathy twinges hard in his chest, and he nods. ]

I don't blame you. [ it is terrifying. it scares him too. he'd want to be put down if he hurt anyone - he wouldn't be able to live with himself. to have hit close to home was devastating. ]

...I think... at least - at least we don't have to go through it alone. For every awful moment, they are amplified by the better that we spend together. [ finally, he glances over - meets his gaze, with a tiny smile. ] ...Right?