Albert doesn't mean to make Arthur uncomfortable, nor does he appreciate the strength of his own feeling. Death is a part of life, without it there is no renewal, and he's not a stranger to the idea, certainly not in nature. But it's different, when the concept is so close to home, when the death you are talking about is the death of someone who means so much to you.

As strange as that sounds, when in truth they've met each other the total sum of four times in his reckoning, five in Arthur's own. Arthur has shown great concern for him, saved his life far more times than should really be possible, and helped him without asking for payment or any favour. He didn't deserve Arthur's kindness, but he would not refuse it.

"Does that mean... you can not return?"