[ The fact that he hesitates before answering her is probably all she really needs to know, but. ]

Yeah.

[ He answers her anyway, even if it comes out in an exhale, chest tight and heart starting to ache. Yeah, he's afraid that that's what's going to come next. ]

I'm here because I was selected... we all were. We all had something about us that meant we could help. I'm strong, I can fly, but if I just end up using that against everyone else then what good am I? [ He brings his a hand up to his head, palm pressed into forehead, fingertips pressing into scalp. ] I don't know how much longer I can hold out.