Has it really only been that long? Nick sometimes forgot how old he was, especially when he woke up in the morning. Felt older than he was, bones aching and creaking more than they should, more cynical too but let's face it, that wasn't new.
"Maybe you'd be better off if you did." It came off as more of a mutter than anything else letting her go with a bit of reluctance so she could easily dig her key out of wherever she had it stashed. She was better than Emily at least, who could spend ten minutes digging through her purse for her keys which just presented good opportunities for bad people.
He let out snort of laughter though, reaching out to ruffle her now black hair even as he thought of her when she was younger. Sunburnt and whiny, yet with him still hopelessly caught up in her anyway. "You're always going to be soft, no matter how many callouses you get." There was a fond relief in his voice though, like her still liking the little comforts meant more than it did. Sometimes he regretted bringing her into this world.