[His looks at her at that, his gaze soft and slightly troubled. He's not sure he knows how to not protect people, but he also knows very well the truth to her words. He knows why she needs to say them to him. He looks away, to the ground, studying it at he tries to find the words to respond.]

Rogue, I... [He lets out a heavy sigh, lifts a hand to run down his face.] I don't know how to do anything else. [He looks at her then, tiredly, as he confesses this. The truth is he never has and everything that's come after has only reinforced this drive. Brian. Sofia. James. Even Ali, always so reckless. And it's exhausting.] I know you don't need it, sweetheart, but I... [He shakes his head, trails off, his eyes imploring with her to understand, even wordlessly asking for help.] I need to.