He raises an eyebrow slightly. "I doubt it's the kind of situation that's going to be happening a lot in the future," he says slowly. "And it feels kinda weird giving you a heads-up. But if you really want me to, okay."

He pauses, reaching up with one hand and cupping Hobbes's face, stroking a thumb over his cheekbone. "I'm sorry I upset you," he says. "I swear I didn't mean to."

It gets a little easier every time to say it.