It's not a concern about being able to handle it-- although you can't, for the record-- but I just...

[ want to keep you separate and good, untouched. protect you. ]

Do you want the honest answer? Because you won't like it.

[ yes, his face plainly says; of course i would have let it lie, selfishly taken the time we have for myself and refused to allow reality to intrude in on it. ]