[There had been a few moments where Bulba had felt like he needed to say something, and that he couldn't hold it in anymore. But there had been more fights. Then they were dragons. Now, watching the way Vinnie's face fell in his guilt, Bulba's resolve grew a bit firmer and he clutched the words more tightly to himself than before. Whether or not that was a stupid thing to do was not a current factor.

Blaming himself wasn't something Vinnie needed to be doing right now.

Bulba reached out to gently lay his hand on Vinnie's knee, his brows knit slightly in concern of his own.]

It's okay. I'm fine.

[Words that sounded more legitimate out loud. He was fine, even if he really wasn't. He was fine.]