[It's not that he stops listening to Aerith a moment later, but in the midst of his lightheadedness, her voice... grows distant in a way, as though she's speaking through a heavy wall—

(she could hear through the stone of the secret passageway running through the castle, dull and muffled but panicked voices screeching questions, orders, prayers, and Impa just kept running for the stables, refusing to stop or turn around for a single one)

—but she's watching him, almost suspiciously now, he thinks. He blinks, once, twice, mentally rewinding the past few seconds to process what she asked of him, and when he does... the ghost of a smile plays at his eyes, wistful and melancholy. He nods.]

... Yes. It is my duty to keep her safe above all else. It's... been some time, so she may not recognize me, but I swear to you that I mean her no harm.

[his self-loathing isn't that bad—]