Depending on how things play out, keeping companions alive and around can also be artificial. If the player is completely unhelpful to a companion or acts completely against their will, why would they even want to be around? These choices should matter. You can't have everything. Is there a need to be best friends and hear the secrets of all companions in a single playthrough? I don't think so. If you want to keep them around, you can do that. Do your best, and enjoy how the story unfolds
