"I like knowing that someone loves me just as a simple person, not as a body capable of taking a great deal. I've been the favourite whipping boy before, been the one who would go the farthest, bow the lowest. To be with someone who doesn't ask me to after that is just-"

He clears his throat.

"It's different for you. Bruce loves you. That much is clear even if you're blind. But I haven't always-"