[Leaning into the embrace where he was still stood up on Abel's lap, he sighed next to Abel's ear.]

You don't have to cry.

[Mainly because it breaks his heart, and it might make him cry too.]

When you... can't button it up, I'll do it for you. I won't let you go out shirtless, not ever.

[So maybe shirts had become a metaphor - a really BAD metaphor - but the sentiment was clear.]