We made it out, everyone okay. But at a cost. [ He whispers that, as if the memory aches like an old wound. It still haunts him: taking the compass, making that hard call knowing what he was trading off in exchange. ] I just couldn't go home a man down.

[ He settles in close, takes the comfort she gives and sighs softly, breathing in the scent that he's come to associate so strongly with her: it's sweet, whatever she uses for her hair. ]

Sorry. [ That comes a little later, after what feels like long enough silence between them. ] I guess it was my turn to bring the mood down.