He hadn't been aware of his holding his breath until then, the exhale coming at once, heavy and long. He'd known, should have known, but still....

"No, it's alright. I didn't expect that you did; I just needed to ask." His head shook, tiredly, wearily, but he tried to offer her a small smile - trying to push the rest down again.

It wasn't her fault, and the last thing any of them needed was more burden. It was his weight, he would shoulder it.

"And it's probably for the best. It's not as if I would want to subject them to this place, if I could help it."