[At least he only has to hear people pitching in and out of their feelings over phones and--whatever the tomes are. It doesn't make it any less apparent, but he can keep it separate from his own feelings, keep a level head for them.]

Hey. [His tone, not particularly rough during the conversation, still softens from their rather light back-and-forth.] This place, it's got its distractions, it does its best to make us forget that we didn't ask to be here. I'm sorry there's so much missing from it, and that I did anything to bring that up.

I know what this is, you don't have to worry about that. And if you get a chance to ride off into the sunset with her, I'll be glad for you.