[ She's right, of course. She's nearly always right, able to pick her words with far more care than he's ever been able to muster, though he's not deceived by the weight of her silences. He knows there's more going on underneath than she allows to the surface. They're the same like that, though he's spent a long time learning how to cover up with bravado and bullshittery instead of those long measuring looks from deep green eyes.

He lets himself be harangued, knowing he's earned it. He's let her down, not for the first time. This isn't the worst place they've ended up in together, but it's not great, either. His gaze slides away from her when she expresses what she'd been assuming, making it clear how much that stupid mistake cost her. Three days is a pretty short amount of time in the grand scheme of things, but it can be unrelenting when it's full of that kind of pain. ]

I guess I want you do better than I can. [ He says it before he can stop himself, scowling on the heels of the truth of the sentiment, looking down at her hand. He knows he's missing the point but he's not sure how intentional he's being about it. Talking to Laura always has a way of unsettling him. ]

You're right, though. I shoulda been more careful. [ He flicks a glance sideways at her. ] I don't wanna lose you either, Laura.