His hand was easily captured, but he hadn't expected it and he looked to the woman at his side with surprise and gratitude, squeezing back as he accepted her comfort and her strength. "Thank you." The words were simple and quiet, but the Attuned bond held a warmth for the connection that remained between them, old and yet new again. There was pain, and he didn't try to hide it, nor the fear he felt at her suggestion.
"I... after the last time... I'm afraid," he admitted, reluctant to let the barriers down so far, but holding more tightly to her hand. "But if you think she would listen then I..." He glanced back in time to catch a flash of something dark in the Shield's expression, so rarely seen, and he hesitated on a breath. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"I... after the last time... I'm afraid," he admitted, reluctant to let the barriers down so far, but holding more tightly to her hand. "But if you think she would listen then I..." He glanced back in time to catch a flash of something dark in the Shield's expression, so rarely seen, and he hesitated on a breath. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
