You lose people, is the thing. If you have people, you lose them or they lose you, sooner or later. And sometimes you think you know it, when someone's gone, but you don't know it know it; you go on looking for them without meaning to, turning round sharp like you're trying to find them, days and weeks after.

He can already tell it'll be a while before he stops expecting to see John here, around every corner.

There's an empty ache somewhere behind his breastbone as he leans his shoulder against Radar's, and a burning dryness in his eyes.