[ he can't help but huff something like a laugh at that — because, well, obviously people don't end when they die, he's not-living proof of exactly that. but their lives sure do end.

but then she keeps talking, and charles can't help the way his eyes soften with sadness when she keeps speaking about her friend — it hits a little too close to home, that, even if ultimately it's hardly the same thing, how she died and how he did.

and yet... ]

Yeah, I know. Course it's not pointless. It's harsh and terrible, yeah, but that's why it matters what we do, right? [ so he gets it, he does, he does. ]

... I told you I died to defend someone, too, didn't I?