_{[ Mark can't explain it, but he gingerly takes both of Rex's hands in a motion that appears like he's comparing both of them now that they are bandaged up. Mark makes a note that his hands are so warm and maybe he is just seizing an opportunity to hold them. Once he realizes that, he exhales slowly and breaks all contact entirely, carefully letting go of his hands. Are his cheeks a little rosy? Possibly. It's very light. ]}

I'm so sorry.

_{[ Mark shifts, feeling a little awkward, but he feels like it might help if he makes this known now that he's grown closer to Rex. ]}

People do care about you, though. Even if they aren't your parents, so I know it's different when it's not your parents, but..

I give a shit about you. Other people do too— they're just not here to tell you that. So.. you just.. kind of have to deal with me for now. I always cared about you as a team mate, but now I can say that I care about you as a friend.

_{[ If he would have just gone about his life back home, Mark can sincerely say that he probably would have had no interest in getting to know Rex better, but because of their situation here, he's grown fond of him. ]}