[ It's not that Maruki feels a sudden need to treat her like she's made of glass–

It's more a confirmation of something that rests uneasy deep in his soul. So many that he cares about here are living on borrowed time. Death behind them, or death imminent ahead, or just so much suffering that death might be kinder. He's lost for what to do with it beyond simply appreciating the time they have together here.

So it's a somber weight that falls over him, like a heavy blanket of snow, and it's a long moment before he speaks. ]

The tradeoffs we endure for phenomenal power never cease to amaze me. I'm sorry. I wish it wasn't that way for you.