[How strange yet respect feels. How foreign trust.

Yet he offers it so easily that it shames her, and her eyes dart away briefly before she forces it back. As he offers, so she desires to return. Even if it was difficult. After all- it was all more apparent now, the reality of their circumstance. That one might be here one day and gone the next. If she does not now... she will taste regret again. And it had been too bitter a pill already.]

It is not-

[So she does try to explain. Tries not to, but her hocks still tremble slightly in wrongness, her hide twitches beneath the slight pressure of his fingers even as her own curl over his hand. Press. Force herself to confront what she has invited.]

It is not done... not like this. [As equals. As two willing.] But I-

[What? The things she needs to say become jumbled in her head despite best efforts, plowing forward even if it is not quite the right direction for fear she will run from it otherwise.]

Even if it is not... not possible, I will still fight by your side. You shall still have my regard.