You were lying on the couch now, your shoulder bandaged, your body finally warmed by a thick blanket and the warmth of the room — but there was still a chill somewhere deeper inside, that didn't come from the rain or the pain.

Suo remained seated in a nearby armchair, his body erect, his hands clasped as if he were waiting… or watching. His eyes, however, were on you. Always.

'Aren't you going to sleep?' his voice came out weaker than he imagined. Almost a whisper.

Suo looked up slowly. It took a moment before answering.

"Not tonight." he said calmly. "Not after what happened. Not after I almost lost you."

There was silence. But it was different from the silence before. Now there was something between you — something unsaid, but impossible to ignore.

'Suo…' you tried, with difficulty, to sit up a little better. 'You act like this is your fault, but it isn't. I made the decision to go alone.'

He sighed, the sound low, almost inaudible. The kind of sigh that is not physical, but emotional. When he spoke again, his voice no longer had the controlled tone of before. It was more human. More… exposed.

"I should have stopped you. I should have seen this coming. I spend my entire life analyzing risks, escape routes, weaknesses… but with you, I can never think rationally. You are the only variable that completely disarms me."