[it's not fun to hear this. she doesn't regret it, and she doesn't even really seem all that surprised, funnily enough, but that doesn't make her feel any less sad to hear what happened to him.

the words don't pop up on her skin again, but her resolve to protect him crawls up in her chest and settles there. it's fierce.]

So he's come after you twice, then.

[...]

My soldier. [she murmurs, tucking herself closer, as they walk through the doors.] Hate that you went through that. All of that - the rust, seeing things. I'm sorry, I wish I'd been there. Really me.