tear me to pieces, skin to bone

Again, Loren just took his knocks. When Korbin stepped in to block a shovel spoke up, however, the healer glanced up from his work. "We're just working. It's not a problem. Accidents happen." It came out in a matter of fact and businesslike tone. As the younger Hale spoke to Loren, his neutral mask slammed into place. Turning, he lifted a large chunk of rock and staggered with it over to where they were making a pile. "I don't need you to fight my battles for me." It came out in a low whisper, and he ignored the judgmental feeling he received from Astra. Dusting off his hands at the other man's question, the healer picked up a shovel and resumed digging. "What am I supposed to do?" Again, it came out flatly, without a hint of his true emotions. LOREN Not quite an open book