"Brandon's world is bottoming out from under him again. We have to remember that he nearly died the first time around. When you come that close to death, when you've been through it all before and know what's coming, it's harder to be optimistic. It's hard to be optimistic when you're feeling ill as it is. From what I've seen of him symptomatically, I think he's feeling worse than he's letting on. We need to give him some leeway to try to breathe and keep going if he's accidentally being a dick. He spoke to me a lot when you we having your first procedure, buddy, and I think what you're both trying to weather here is him trying to squash all the plans he had thinking he had longer with remission into a small space of time. He wants to hold on to as much as he can, for as long as he can. Cancer robbed him of a lot of independence and agency over himself the first time, he really wants to retain some this time. I don't think he's pushing you away or leaving you out of anything. I just think everything is snowballing and he can't catch up with it all. Which I think is the same thing you're describing too, so you're still in it together. You just have to really work on regaining your footing and connection. It's not easy. Illness in a relationship never is. There's hurdles and challenges all the time. You told us about your fight. Do you want to talk to us about what else has happened between you since then? You don't have to. We're just here to make sure you're okay. It's going to be a good few days before you start to feel better, buddy. I wish I could tell you it was instantaneous but your insides need to heal and recalibrate." Jesse patted Merlin's shoulder to try to reassure him a little, then pulled up another chair beside Damien and sat down. "Is there something you need Clint's help with? Is it anything we can do for you?"