[The protective instinct it draws from him is almost knee-jerk.]

Just— promise me you’ll be careful around here, alright? I don’t know if there was trouble involved or…

[A pause and a bit of anxious frustration as he shakes his head. She couldn’t have simply up and vanished, right? Right?]

You haven’t seen any sign of her lately? Heard anyone say anything?

[The question’s a little more pointed than he rightfully means for it to be, but he’s on edge and the storm of emotional feedback doesn’t help matters.]