"I know. I know you would." Hope was good at taking care of herself, and he knew that if she could fix this thing tearing her apart, she would. He just hated that he couldn't help. A guy thing, maybe.
"You know what, why don't you stay with me? I mean, I know we're close already but...I mean, really stay with me? We don't have to do anything, but maybe if things get real bad then you won't be alone? You're so strong, Hope, it just amazes me sometimes, but you don't have to take it all on your own shoulders. Let me help. We're both almost old enough to be on our own, you know? And if something goes wrong and you lose it or something? If you lash out? Well, anything you do to me isn't permanent."