[ he falls silent again as the question bounces around his head. is there a reason he hasn't told them? they have all but welcomed him with opens arms, offering him a place to stay with them. they have reached out to him more than once, all but told him that he is dear to them. so why has he not done the same? ]

I'm not sure. [ a beat. ] They are happy together here, and they deserve to be happy after all that happened. I don't want to intrude on it.