[they looked surprised at the request, and they felt their heart jump into their throat. their eyes widened. they'd expected to run into this problem, but not for... not for a long time. this was a lot. their hands stopped cupping chariot's face, holding it only a little looser, but they didn't want to pull away entirely. they just weren't a fool; they knew what people meant when they said things like that.]

[they'd heard it from yang more than enough times, though not in exactly those words.]

[they breathed in, shaky and uncertain.]

Do you remember when I said that there were going to be some things I didn't think I could give you...? [they felt their shoulders tensing and wished, very quietly, that they were anywhere else in the galaxy.] I think... I'm sorry. I think what you're asking for might be one of them.