his main goal might be to ensure that mc survives, but she clings to him so tightly he now factors in his own life. i think he's dealt with near death experiences too often to have a normal reaction to dangerous situations. "bits and pieces" because he's been there, done that.
vinesurge instinct spoilers
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he thinks he's so funny, but also he's so casual when talking about his pain or potential doom. like he's distant from it, not necessarily that it can't happen to him but rather he's capable of "regenerating".
his arm was badly damaged and they replaced with a biotech prosthetic. he's incredibly resilient. he has a backup in his arm, which is most likely his memories of mc. he is always preparing for his demise so that he can never truly disappear.
I don't find that funny at all!
Imagining him picking at himself in this numb curiosity... he's fidgeting until he crosses a wire that brings him intense feeling