"I doubt-- anyone of us would've thought it. Who would have? Y'said no one else on his side did, either, yeah?"

It hurts, and it's shaky, but it's a truth they need to both accept. That doesn't stop him from letting his thumb brush fondly against his brother's cheek.

"Y'needed to-- be there to figure this out. It never would've been over, otherwise. It sucks that it-- had t'be you, and had t'be for so long, but-- Y'did a good thing, Reg. It's-- worth it, I think."