[Yes, well, neither has he. But admitting that just means you feel more guilty - and he doesn't want that. You're going through enough.]
[Except the coughing fit alarms him enough to step up to him, pulling him in closer - as if that could help - and is halfway through the motion before he kind of falters a little and does a mental equivalent to a "Asdlghsad;"]
[Steps back with a mumbled apology] We're -- we're almost there. Just hold on.