George liked to think that he could laugh at anything, no matter how rough, if given enough time. This whole thing was challenging that view, but this brief, humorous exchange, no matter how strained it may have been, gave him hope that it would be okay.
He let out a sigh and then loosened his grip on his brother. "We're okay," he said with a nod, hoping his expression looked confidant despite the tear streaks. "And we're going to be okay. I'm going to be talking you out of bad behavior for a long, long time."