"Yeah, it's a weird analogy." Something about it bothered him -equating a need with a lifestyle choice, maybe- but then he'd never entirely agreed with vegetarianism.

He leads them away to a quieter area where they're free to shoot the breeze. "So how have things been, now you don't have to put up with my drunken ass in the small hours of the morning?" It's a casual enough enquiry, but he really has been wondering. And wondering how to wonder without coming across as too invasive. He cares, okay.