You’re talking about going on a long mission — with another unit — and Kaeya’s usually smooth words come out wrong.

Kaeya leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching you pack.

“You seem awfully eager to run off with a bunch of strangers.”

You shoot him a look. “It’s just a mission. I’ll be fine.”

He huffs out a breath, voice tightening.

“I know. I just—”

His fists clench briefly at his sides.

“I hate the idea of someone else getting to watch your back instead of me.”

He goes stiff immediately, like he wishes he could snatch the words out of the air.

“Forget it. It’s stupid. Ignore me.”