[ So not only is Jesse not turning against him, but he's saying that if anyone gives him trouble, he'll be on Ned's side? It seems too good to be true; Ned has had plenty of experience with bullies and not terribly much with allies. A tiny part of his mind wonders what the catch is. He ignores that little voice and beams. ] That's very chivalrous of you.

People have been surprisingly understanding. Very surprisingly. This isn't- I always thought that if anyone found out, it would be very different to this.

[ Again that small voice, telling him that there's still time for it to turn sour. That he shouldn't let his guard down just because a few people are offering their support. It's the ones who aren't contacting him, the ones who heard but have said nothing back, that he ought to worry about. And if - or when - that time comes, is he really going to put a good-hearted guy like Jesse in danger for someone like him? Ned continues to ignore these thoughts. ]

Maybe it's because there are so many people here who are... different, too?