[ The final apology is as unnecessary as it was too late. Jake socks Cal's arm lightly; a gentle reprimand that doesn't actually go so far as to reproach him. He understood the impulse, even now. That urge to be tough, to never let the fear show, Jake's own father was that kind of man. Jake was that kind of man, for a long time.

Nobody should have to be that. Especially not a kid. ]

Are you kidding? You know how big I can get, dude? Nothing you can dump on me I can't handle. [ It's a joke, but it comes with a genuineness too. ] I'm glad you came out the other side of that, kid. 'Cuz you're right. People will get hurt.

[ Is he talking about Cal's past or Ciraiwei? Hard to say. ]

But that doesn't mean we should hurt ourselves, y'know?