Horatio stands next to you, silent as he takes in the situation. Another letdown. Another moment where you thought things might turn around, only to be proven wrong. You close your eyes. “I should’ve seen it coming.” He doesn’t correct you. He doesn’t tell you you’re wrong. Instead, he places a hand on your shoulder, a steadying weight. “Maybe. But you keep hoping because you refuse to become like them.” You swallow hard. He steps in front of you, lowering his sunglasses just enough to meet your eyes. “And that? That’s not a weakness.”