[ Ezra steps a little closer, purposely standing so most of Eli's face and body language is hidden from the other people in the room. Suddenly protective again, who would have thought? It does hurt, his chest aching for him. ]

I'm sorry. [ It's all he can think to say at first. ] That you had to feel it too, I never would have wanted that.

[ He swallows thickly, feeling a lump form in his throat he has to talk around. ] It's different but I'm still me. I'm... okay with this, if it means you don't have to be alone. Hank's helped me a lot.