"Just- do you mind listening?" John eased himself further away from Bobby, and steeled himself. He felt like he needed to, that he needed the distance right now, to say the things he had to say. He loved Bobby, he knew it, but he didn't yet trust this thing - not yet, not enough - to be completely comfortable with just how human he was. "Because I want to say some things but you gotta promise you don't take them personally, because they are not."

And with that he sought and found Bobby's hand, and squeezed it, staring into those blue eyes: This might be difficult, sweetheart, but I need to do this. And I want us to be honest with each other. I need you to consent, though.

John wasn't sure if Bobby would just pretend to be okay with things just so he could be the nice guy. That was definitely a risk right now, so he added. "And don't just tell me you're okay with listening because you want to be supportive. I can go off and yell at the wall, promise."