Right... It seems we're "incomplete" without the other, but it's up to us to decide whether it's worthwhile to fix that. It's tempting, if only to make that feeling go away.

That's true, too. Not everyone is able to protect another. I have faith that I can, if they need it, but our situation seems too complicated to make a decision on that alone. [ a heavy sigh. ] I'm not always good at understanding what my partner needs most, either. Maybe it would be best to let them decide what they want and continue to support them.

[ he doesn't really need to know who they are to do that, anyway. it's the easiest way forward. ]