[ The flinch is absolutely tragic. But then this scrawny bird-boned child leans into his touch, and John thinks he might be doing this right. He's trying. ]

You stood up to something a thousand times your size. If that isn't bravery, I don't know what is.

[ He blows out a long breath, and, upon further consideration, drops to sit on the couch beside the boy. They make a funny picture, awkward but earnest, God sitting there not quite knowing how to comfort. ]

Paul's only angry at himself. Terrible choice of target, in my opinion. Personally, I'd be angry with the Leviathan. [ Or the gods. ]