[ —best friend? the blisters of green on his face from the earlier flush haven’t left, but have become softer and blurred. he’s worried about being useful, even— ]

. . . For me, too. [ best friends. it felt good. ] I wasn’t just thinking . . . Physical danger. You’ve helped so much already— with this feeling. Being with you did that.

[ and after a pause, he confesses a fear he’s been feeling the most. ]

I don’t want to be alone. And you . . . Don’t make me feel that way.