He didn't like lying to him. He didn't like it at all, and he tried hard not to lie about any of it, but if things got a little misdirected by twisting his comments just so, well, it was for the better, wasn't it? The look on Fitz's face was already heartbreaking (monstrous as he appeared to be) but to tell him what he didn't need to know right now? That would break Phil almost as bad as it would break Fitz.

Almost. He knows... he knows first hand, just how bad Fitz would be. Or he thinks he's be that way again. Seven months away shouldn't have changed him that much that he wouldn't be a wreck over it. That he wouldn't be a complete mess over the fact that Jemma Simmons, his best friend, partner and possibly more... was missing.

There was no reason to tell him this.

None.

So he lies when the boy asks how everyone is doing in his own timeline.

He lies to protect him, because he knows, he knows if they get back home, back to their timelines. He knows that Fitz will fall apart, even if just for a little while, while they try to find Jemma again. He knows, and he doesn't think his heart can handle seeing it happen again.

He lies and tells him that everything is alright.

He hates the feeling of the lie less then the truth at least.