Yeah, so he has difficulties attaching to people for various reasons, not just because he keeps getting them killed. But he likes to console himself thinking that it's safer for everyone if he just doesn't get involved with anyone.

"I can do both," he concedes gruffly. It's not like he's getting involved with Billy, or anything. It's just the occasional night while the young man tends to him like a fickle, needy garden, feeding and watering him when needed.

"Your hair looks nice. I s'pose." That's a compliment, right? Not at all forced or artificial-sounding.