There was that sigh again, and Mike doesn't whimper but he does close his eyes, fully expecting something to happen with that. All it takes is that sharp inhale of breath, and now that reality is setting in on Mike again, he knows the signs.

'Assuming you're capable of retaining it at all.'

"I can--I can, I can," He's not sure how many times he can say that, his chest heaving. He's calm from nearly suffocating, but now it's something else: this situation.

"I understand. I understand the situation, I know--I know, I'm sorry, just don't hurt me. Don't kill me I'll do so much better, I'll do so much fucking better alright?"