Martin nodded slightly, looking slightly worried despite the smile. It was a weird subject to touch on, and he hardly knew where to start or how. Even so, he was miles from the wretched, miserable child the monster grown from. Which meant...miles from this oddball friendship? He hoped not.

"I did. A lot happened really quickly..." He pushed up one of his sleeves over his elbow in idle movement, only to have it fall back down again. His shoulders lifted and fell with a breath that seemed to encourage him, brightening his expression again. "But nothing like that will happen again. And...I'm grateful you didn't get caught up in it. Very grateful."