"Cheater," John says, but it's extremely soft - even for him. And, unsurprisingly, more what he expects to hear, even after all this time, when he talks, instead of something more tortured. He smiles, blinks a few times to deal with the edge of tears as he does it.
And, really, it isn't exactly cheating but the effect is the same. It's an immediate 'check-mate'. He can't argue with his own logic. He certainly can't do it after fighting to get Ben to respond and live, instead of just exist in a shut-down state of going through motions.
"I know," he says, after a moment. "I'll be okay. We'll... figure it out. We've made it this far."
Yes, he is talking to himself as much as Ben. He's petrified, but he's... better than hiding. Not better than the fear, but - Well, if his alternatives are 'killed' and 'living entirely safely and alone' - he'd probably rather be dead, anyway. Ben he is afraid, for, but. Ben hadn't done so well alone, either.