"Because I'd miss you. And because I hear dying's even worse and I don't want that for you." That's the honest truth, even, and it shows on his face. "And because you do think life's better than death, so it'd be sad if you had to miss more life."

Which makes it unexpected that of the two of them, Howard's the one keen on self-preservation. But as much as he's generally unhappy, the idea of dying terrifies him more than the prospect of staying alive.