Five didn't really say it to be comforting. That's just what happened. Since then he's tried to imagine that it would have gone differently if he'd been there. The whole point of everything he's done... and now he's still not sure. But it'd make a nice footnote, anyway.

He looks up to see Allison suddenly near, and he only hesitates for a moment before he holds out the gauze in his hand. Then he carefully twists to give her a better view. He thinks of all the times their mother would be the one to do this, and for a moment, he really feels as old as he looks.

"How are things going, anyway?" That sounds like an awkward and obvious diversion when he's letting her take a look at his wounds, but that's not entirely why he asks. "You know, aside from all the death and destruction I brought back with me. I wasn't expecting to find it so quiet."