There's something about that gentleness that sets off a pang of something within him that he doesn't even have to examine to know it's guilt. There's just something like that about receiving a gentle attitude when you don't expect to be met by one - in a way that has nothing to do with the way he knows the other can fight tooth and claw when he wants to, if Hickey's state after that one fight was anything to go by, and much more to do with Billy's own cynical outlook on other people in general - or particularly feel like you deserve it.

It renders him quiet for a moment, slightly unsure of what to say, before he speaks up again.

"Is it bad?" Another slight pause, though this time it's just a beat, and he turns his head to look at the other man. ".. the injury, I mean."