He makes a clipped noise of surprise when Okie slumps into him but recovers almost instantly from the shock of it in order to put an arm around the poor boy.

"Death is so often senseless. But, so too, can grief be strange and illogical. That's all right. On top of your pain, you should not be pressuring yourself to feel some specified way about it."

He doesn't need to be an expert in reading body language to see how hard Okie has been holding on, or to guess for how long. This breakdown has been a long time coming. Is it wrong to feel slightly honored that he's being entrusted to witness it?

"If you are waiting for someone's permission to release that composure you are clinging to, then consider it granted. You're safe here."