"You're not a coward," comes the immediate response, Al's voice quiet but firm.

He squeezes both hands and kisses Marco's temples, making sure to push his overwhelming sense of pride for his husband through that magical tether. "You're braver than you know, darling. You've just been convinced through all the shit you've been through that you're weak."

When in reality, Al knows only someone strong could get through even half the nightmare Marco survived.