[ It twisted in his chest, hot and painful, the way it always did when Amos mentioned his family. He found his thumb brushing against his ring finger, trying to fiddle with a ring that wasn't there, and his eyes fell to the floor. ]

... 'pparently I did. [ Lowly. ] Tell her, I mean. [ It was the only way he could say that he actually agreed with Amos. That at least where it came to Talissa, he was definitely a coward. It was why the word had hit so hard. ]

I was - I was going to. After Ganymede. Was plannin' on it. But apparently I did it. [ He sucked in a hard breath and then moved to put the plate down on the desk, unwanted by either party, it's usefulness already passed. It had been the olive branch. It didn't need to be eaten. ]

... Amos, look, I-- [ He cut off, chewing on the words, brow furrowing. ]

It ain't about protectin', not exactly. It's just - [He raised his eyes to meet the other man's.]

We can have each other's backs. Alright? It don't need to be you protecting me. We can work together. There's a lot of people here who really do need our help, and who need protection. I ain't one of them.

I'd take a bullet for you, brother, you know that.