[He takes it, closing his eyes briefly when the touch connects. In any other circumstance, he'd laugh about it. But he understands this is as much her way of caring as Wanda's refusal to leave his side.]

Can it wait until I'm out of the bed? I think the doctor's might get mad if I pop the stitches. [It's supposed to be a joke. It falls flat.

He sighs, looks back to his hands.]

I was trying to protect someone. That's what I was doing. I just wanted to keep her safe.