Dylan pulls him into another hug at that, this one no less solid than the first. When he steps back from this one, however, it's more than just his eyes that are wet, his handle on himself and his ability to get through this without crying, too, apparently just as shattered. He lets out a breath, trembling, and then slowly pulls his hand away from Merritt's neck so he can press the back of his hand into his eyes, wipe the tears away.

He drops his hand again a moment later, and clears his throat. "Anyway, uh." A beat, another small, choked sound as he tries to force the lump in his throat into submission, again, then, "You ready to try getting out of here?"

If worse comes to worst, he and the kids can carry Merritt down and out. If worse comes to worst, he can, period, and would try, would be able to, right now, even without them.