Martin turns to meet the embrace, tucking himself against John's chest as he has many times before, and John hums, soft and sympathetic. This might not be what he intended, but he knows how to cope with it — and he's getting better at not descending into a spiral of guilt over setting it off. He shifts a little to get more comfortable, then resettles himself, his thumb brushing gently against Martin's skin as he waits for him to recover himself.

He doesn't press for an explanation; Martin tends to offer them, unprompted, once he's settled down. But it does surprise him a little when all Martin ends up giving him is thanks and reassurance. Maybe that's a good sign: perhaps it means John didn't do anything that ought to be avoided going forward. It might not do anything for his curiosity, of course... but if Martin doesn't want to lead them down some miserable tangent, John isn't going to bloody drag him. His curiosity isn't worth that.

"You're sure?" he still asks, leaning back a little so he can see him properly. Martin's cheeks are still streaked with tears, and John lifts a hand so he can blot them dry with the cuff of his jumper. "I would hate to leave the boat unfinished," he adds, risking a wry little smile.