"Staying behind is a coward's way." Booker couldn't stand the thought of them leaving him behind. He needed to be there for his own sense of peace. He smiled fondly at Nicky. Drunk he was even more affectionate than normal which explained the petting of his face. A little awkward but genuinely sweet.

He leaned a little into the touch. "You won't remember this in the morning. You never do when you're this drunk."

Which was a blessing and a downfall. Nicky should remember the important parts about his good soul and how powerful Joe's love for him was. How the Crusades and what he'd done weren't his fault. "I'm not going to let you run into danger and death without me. Ever. You'll just have to accept that."