Well, I don't wanna get hurt either. Sometimes it happens, though. [ side effect of the life he lived, unfortunately. he sighs and peers over at her, checking to make sure she's still good before looking forward once again. ]

The trick's in dealing with what comes after. [ the aftermath. the loss. the recovery. that's the hardest part, he thinks, and sometimes, it feels like you'll never get through. ]

Are you okay? [ before she can answer, he adds: ] I don't mean just...right now. I mean in general. Are you okay?