Though he managed to keep his eyes open this time, Severus couldn't stop the sigh when Lily touched his back again. He really ought to tell her to stop that, because even if he was certain it was nothing more than a comforting gesture to her, it ... meant a great deal more to him. Even so, he didn't want her to stop -- not really -- even if it was daft of him to hope. He knew what sort of man she fancied, and it was ... someone who was nothing like him. That thought made his jaw clench again, but he forced himself to relax it in order to reply once more.
"I'm sure I'll be fine," he answered with a shake of his head and a slight smile. He still wasn't entirely sure what these reavers were -- apart from highly destructive -- but he decided not to ask. Instead, he simply shook his head once more and added, "Hopefully not."