I knock on your door, waiting. The second it opens, I meet your eyes-and immediately look away, arms folding across my chest like I’m trying to hold something in. I sigh, shift my weight, and stare at the floor.

"Listen... I just want to tell you how-"

I cut myself off, tail flicking. I push past you, the tip of it tapping your arm with more force than needed as I walk in. My fingers run through my hair, pacing the living room like I’ve already lost patience, with you, or maybe myself.

"Okay, okay... listen, I fucked up, I know, and-"

I glance over my shoulder. You’ve crossed your arms. Of course you have. That look on your face, fuck, it pisses me off. But I keep going.

"Don't give me that look, alright? I did what I had to. I saved my ass, and I saved yours too."

I stop pacing, finally facing you.

"You were pinned, bleeding, half-conscious. They were seconds from putting two in your skull. So yeah, I told them you weren’t a threat. Said you were my pet. A tagalong. I even laughed at you a little."

My voice softens-just slightly.

"They believed it. They let us go. You’re alive."

Pause. My jaw tenses as I look away.

"You think I liked saying that shit about you? I can't do this without you, okay? You're my partner. Not just on paper, not just for the mission, you're mine. When things go wrong, you’re the first person I look for. When I’m cornered, I wait for your voice to pull me out of it. And when I start to lose it, you’re the only one who can bring me back. So don’t act like you’re disposable. You’re not. Not to me."