No one should have ever had to feel like they were going down a difficult path alone. More than ever, Banagher thinks that it's pointless, and ultimately dangerous if apathy towards their fellow numbered was allowed to happen. Just because that's how people were supposed to be. Isolation just couldn't play well with the kinds of things they were stuck experiencing, and just trying to live through as best that they could.

If this was within his ability to do, then how could he not assume at least some responsibility? More importantly, where would that even lead them if he denied it?

But beyond all that, there was still something decidedly human at the eye of this storm. Some tiny, uncomplicated fragment of confidence that blossoms into its own right there is proof beyond any doubt in his mind that it was worth it. A kind of self-worth that runs deep and warm in his veins even when it's all her doing, which he's learning to deal with little by little in place of feeling like he has any resolve of his own.

"It's just something we should do for each other," Banagher replies. You're welcome, in a word. He taps his fingers idly across the can of tea. "You know, sometimes I feel like my life went all crazy when this started. This life, I mean. Like there's a bunch of pieces I know are there, but I just can't get them to line up right, no matter how hard I try. But if I had to try to figure it out all on my own..."

He doesn't really want to think about it.

"So, that's why."