[he hadn't realized how uncomfortable he'd really been before it all came to a head, tbh. then the impact hit him like a freight train and sent him reeling. he was like a little kid who gets hurt and doesn't start crying until someone asks if they're okay.]

You're already doing more than you know. I don't exactly want to go — everyone here is like family to me. But I know that it could happen, so ... there's not really any choice but to accept it, is there?