[ He knows Keith doesn't mean to hurt him. Never has, and he doesn't believe he ever will. But those words cut deeper than he likely realizes, because he's heard them so many times before. Everything he's ever earned, he's had to fight for. No one believed he could get into the Garrison. No one but Sam wanted him on the Kerberos mission. Always too sick, never good enough. Even Adam couldn't understand.

He swallows with a wince, the needle pricks of thorns in his throat. ] Don't start doing that too, Keith. Not you. [ Glancing up with a tired smile on his lips, he continues. ] I need one person who still believes I can hammer a nail or use a paintbrush without dropping dead. I've done okay all this time, haven't I?