"I'm doing well," he assured him, wincing slightly at the addition. It was easier to talk to people who didn't tenderfoot their way around it. In their case, it was mostly out of ignorance, but being sensitive acknowledges how awful it was, and Wynter didn't want reminding.

He took a few breaths to quench the panic threatening when he remembered coming to the Barge and finding Iris there. "No, I… don't have the virus. I… checked. Thoroughly."