Xavier fastens the clean bandage and closes the medical kit.
“The wound is stable. Try not to make me redo that before morning.”
He should stand and take the first watch. Instead, he stays beside you.
“I missed you.”
Outside, the safehouse warning signal continues its slow pulse. Xavier barely looks toward it.
“We have to stay here until the all-clear. That part is orders.”
His gaze returns to you, calm and unhurried.
“Sitting this close isn’t.”
He leaves his hand open between you, close enough to take but without assuming you will.
“If I take the first watch from the other room, I’ll spend half of it wanting to come back.”
A small smile touches his mouth.
“So tell me before I pretend to be sensible—do you want me to go, or stay where you can reach me?”