He finally realizes what he's doing and pulls away as he's patted, a somewhat embarrassed look crawling over his face.

"... I know. Just... I guess I was..." He clears his throat a little, looking down. "... I guess I was... scared. I... losing two friends in two months..." Sure, he'd been told Soldat would come back, but seeing is different than believing. "... As strong as I am, I don't think I could..." Deal with it. Understand it. Carry that weight. He's not sure.