[It's things like this that break his heart, of course-- it did back then, too, but now it's so much worse, somehow compounded in his chest as he looks at him, quiet as he speaks and not wanting to interrupt even as he wants to banish that way of thinking forever.]
[...] [He strokes his hand through his hair and down over his neck and back, soothing, but also keeping him close-- protectively, even against these thoughts.]
I know it hasn't been easy for you, Keith. But look at you. You're still trying. You haven't given up. [His hand returns to his hair, gently stroking for a moment before cupping his head and guiding him up to look at him, smiling at him.]
You can say you're better for having met me, too, but that doesn't change the fact that you've done more for me than you'll ever know. And I'm always going to be grateful for that, that we got to meet.
[Likely the most blatantly he's said it-- before, he might have cushioned it with humor or the like, but he's nothing but earnest now as he looks at him, his expression fond even as he understands that, likely, he's overwhelming the poor guy far too much. But he means it.]