"I know," he says quietly, tracing soft circles on the back of Otoha's hand with a thumb. "I know. I-"

He stops, takes a breath and lets it out slowly. How does he explain this? Does it even help Otoha to know? "I'm used to being in danger, back home." That...doesn't exactly sound good, does it. "My friends and I are travelers, and the forests aren't exactly safe - there are beasts and bandits and predators. But I'm not afraid, because they're both warriors, and I know that they'll protect me. And they're not afraid, because they know that I'll be there to help them once everything is over.

"I'm not afraid of people who can fight, and...it doesn't bother me, to heal them afterwards. I like it, actually - it's part of who I am." And Otoha had seen what a mess he'd been when he'd thought he'd lost his healing magic. "I'm not scared of you, or scared to be with you, and you're not bothering me, or forcing me to do anything I don't want to. I'm...you're my friend, Otoha, and I want to take care of you because I care about you."