"Things happening to you is not your fault," Ginko repeats, his voice quiet and insistent. "You give us plenty as it is." Sometimes too much, but now isn't the time to bring up Joker's workaholic tendencies. "You're a good friend, Joker, whether you believe it or not. That's why we care about you so much to begin with; it's not a mistake or because of what you pretend about yourself or anything like that."

He lets out a breath, somewhere partway to a laugh but not quite getting there. Even through his sweater, he can feel the heat emanating from Joker's face, and he watches the white vapor of his breath dissipate in the air. "Don't worry about that. I don't mind; gives me a chance to clear things up."