[ Basch only sees it as his own weakness. It hasn't occurred to him that perhaps the life he's been dealt, the home he was given, were harder than most. ]

I wish to comfort you, and protect. It is...always how I have been able to care for others. [ It is so little, in the face of everything. And maybe a selfish impulse, to feel some soothing. ] I do think you are right, that all we can is keep those we have close for as long as we have them.

[ So, so like war. ]