John's expression softens in return as he shakes his head slightly.

"There is time yet for peace and quiet," he says, after a long moment. "I fear neither of you have quite found that moment yet. But it will come." His smile saddens a notch. "I hope when it does I will still have some place to belong in your lives. That... He will find a way to forgive me, someday."

John takes a moment to force in a breath, pressing his eyes shut, centering himself in the absurdity of this moment -- of his life.

"God help me," he murmurs, mostly to himself. "How it all must sound to you..."