Gene nods, still moving a little mechanically, unwilling to properly let his guard down until Tony is gone. Because that's what he's doing, isn't it? Leaving.

They will leave you. They will always leave you. He hears Malicant's words in his head as though they're spoken in his ear, and he tries to shrug them off - but Tony leaving still sends a spike of cold fear through his gut.

"Okay," he says, because he dare not ask for help, for Tony to stay and assuage his fears. "If that's what you need."