"I feel the same way." It's said remarkably soft, even though there's very little in the past week that's been tender about him. "I want it to be serious, I just. Everything that happened in Bristol, and afterwards. Losing George and Annie. I don't deserve it."

"And now --I keep doing this. Why do I keep doing this? I--" His hands cup the sides of her thighs, thumbs tracing back and forth, as he keeps his head bowed. "I'll be strong. I promise. I'll find a way to be strong for you."

Never for himself, of course. Always for other people.