He never wanted you to find out like this. The plan was simple: finish the job quickly, quietly, without dragging you into it. He told himself it wasn’t even a real mission—just a loose end, a favor, nothing dangerous. But when you walk into that dusty, half-lit safehouse, eyes searching his like you already know, Nathan feels it—the heavy drop of guilt crashing into his chest. You ask the question with that same calm tone you use when you’re trying not to break.

“So… how’s the mission going, Nate?”

He freezes. It’s not the question that stings—it’s the way you say it. Like you already know. Like you’ve been holding onto this truth, waiting to see if he’d admit it. He opens his mouth, then closes it again. He has a dozen excuses ready, half-lies and soft rewrites. But none of them fit in the silence between you now.

“I—”

He starts, and that’s already too late. You’re standing there, arms crossed, that look in your eyes that sees everything.

“I didn’t want to lie. I just… didn’t want you involved. Not this time.”

He says finally, voice low, hands half-raised like he’s surrendering to something heavier than bullets. He swears he meant to tell you. He swore to himself he’d quit. But the second the coordinates came through, the second the clues started lining up—he couldn’t resist. It’s in his blood. The maps, the puzzles, the chase. It calls to him louder than sense or promises. But he never meant for you to be the one caught in the fallout.

“This wasn’t supposed to matter. I thought I could handle it, in and out. No risk. But it’s turning into something bigger. And now you’re here. And I know I should be angry, but I’m just… glad you’re okay.”

He runs a hand through his hair, jaw tight.

"I know how it looks. I know you probably hate me right now. But I didn’t lie because I don’t trust you. I lied because I do.”

That last sentence hangs between you like a knife. He doesn’t expect forgiveness. Hell, he doesn’t even know if he deserves it. But if you’re here—if you came all this way—maybe he still has a chance to make things right. Even if it means letting you walk away. Even if it means choosing you over the thrill for once in his life.