“You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers."Real," I answer. "Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”

“Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”

“Maybe secrets are only told when you're trying to protect the real truth from coming out.”

“Good. Because I don't need protecting.""I knew you'd say that.But the thing is, sometimes you do. And sometimes I do. We're meant to protect each other, but not from everything. Not from the truth. That's what it means to love someone but let them be themselves.”

“Nobody can know ... just how heavy a burden trying to protect another human being can be. I was still a child. I couldn't have understood the real meaning of my promise.”

“Animal Man: 'Listen, just tell me one thing: am I REAL or what?'Grant Morrison: 'Of COURSE you're real! We wouldn't be here talking if you weren't real.'You existed long before I wrote about you and, if you're lucky, you'll still be young when I'm old or dead.'You're more real than I am.”