[ She frowns now. He doesn't just think they're keeping secrets. He thinks he did something wrong. That they're hiding things because of him. ]
I don't really know your relationship with your friends that much. I know you're all pretty close...
But I can't imagine anything you'd do to make anyone not trust you. Look how much I trust you, and we've only just met. I left something very important to me with you.
[ She shakes her head and settles in against him more. ]
If there's anything wrong, it's with them. Not you, d'Artagnan.
[ She's being kind. He gives her shoulders a little squeeze, especially when she comes closer to him. He'd only really gotten close to her lately, when they'd talked about their roles here and he'd looked after Koroleva. She's right, they've not known each other long.
But the thing is, that's not unusual for him. He looks at her with a tight little smile. ]
I first met Athos when I thought he'd killed my father. I tried to kill him, but ended up saving his life when he was accused in the wrong. That's how I met all of them. We've been friends ever since. It doesn't always matter how long you know someone. It's a matter of loyalty, and trust.
I know you trust me. If I didn't trust you back I wouldn't be here, believe me. I'm just worried. If they're keeping things from me, they must be in trouble. I don't want protection from that, I want to help them. You'd want to help your friend, wouldn't you? The one who keeps secrets.
Yes. I try to. I always do. [ Just like he tried to do the same for her. Even in Sector R. ]
Don't let their secrets stop you from doing that. Just.... stay close to them and find out what you can. Do what you can from there.
Just don't yourself. You're a good person, d'Artagnan. Better than the rest of us. Sometimes it makes us want to protect you instead of being saved by you like you always try to.
[ D’Artagnan smiles down at her. Alina makes for easy, pleasant company. He doesn’t feel remotely uncomfortable with holding her. In fact, it’s nice. It makes him feel better.
He rubs her arm lightly, and lets his head fall back against the back of her bunk. ]
Are your thoughts so bad that you want to escape them? I’m sorry to hear that.
[ His head tilts, and he looks at her with an expression that's gentle, but curious. Alina has always seemed so put together, to him. She seems in control of herself. Certain of where she's going and what she wants to do.
Maybe it's not true, but it's the impression she gives off. He rarely ever thinks she looks vulnerable. ]
Everyone does, sometimes.
What is it you're thinking about, Alina? You can tell me. It won't go further than my ears, you have my word.
[ He owes her that much. After all she'd listened to him. ]
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But it makes him feel no better. ]
We're Musketeers, Alina. I fight alongside them, this isn't the first time we've been in danger.
Something's changed, and I don't know what. [ He hesitates, and then glances at her. ] I don't know what I've done.
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Done?
[ She frowns now. He doesn't just think they're keeping secrets. He thinks he did something wrong. That they're hiding things because of him. ]
I don't really know your relationship with your friends that much. I know you're all pretty close...
But I can't imagine anything you'd do to make anyone not trust you. Look how much I trust you, and we've only just met. I left something very important to me with you.
[ She shakes her head and settles in against him more. ]
If there's anything wrong, it's with them. Not you, d'Artagnan.
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But the thing is, that's not unusual for him. He looks at her with a tight little smile. ]
I first met Athos when I thought he'd killed my father. I tried to kill him, but ended up saving his life when he was accused in the wrong. That's how I met all of them. We've been friends ever since. It doesn't always matter how long you know someone. It's a matter of loyalty, and trust.
I know you trust me. If I didn't trust you back I wouldn't be here, believe me. I'm just worried. If they're keeping things from me, they must be in trouble. I don't want protection from that, I want to help them. You'd want to help your friend, wouldn't you? The one who keeps secrets.
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Yes. I try to. I always do. [ Just like he tried to do the same for her. Even in Sector R. ]
Don't let their secrets stop you from doing that. Just.... stay close to them and find out what you can. Do what you can from there.
Just don't yourself. You're a good person, d'Artagnan. Better than the rest of us. Sometimes it makes us want to protect you instead of being saved by you like you always try to.
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I'll try. I don't want them to get hurt. I just wish they trusted me enough to let me help.
[ Falling quiet, he thinks about what she said. How good she's been to him, and how willing to help him. ]
You're one of the kindest women I've ever met, do you know that? I'm not as good as you think. I'm glad you're my friend, Alina.
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[ She frowns at that and shakes her head. ]
I'm not... But thank you.
I'm glad I have you here, d'Artagnan.
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You have been to me. Or what do you call this?
You do have me. You can come to me any time, you have my word.
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Also don't look at her like that. Do you realize how attractive you are? ]
Thank you. I'll remember that.
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[ He gives her a little hug. She's not moving, so he just stays with her, and rubs her arm. ]
Can I stay a while? If that's all right. My rover is a little empty at the moment, and...
You're good company.
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I'd like that. I could use the company.
And I'm comfortable. I don't really feel like moving.
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Too long, probably. ]
I don't either.
Thanks. You made me feel better already.
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I just talked.
I'm glad it helped, though. [ She means it too. She had felt his upset from his very first message, which had made her worry.
She's glad she could help. Even if just a little. ]
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[ She’s been a good friend to him this past while. He’s not likely to forget it. ]
But I appreciate it. I know you’ve been busy lately. I feel a little bad for interrupting your empty rover. You don’t get that very often.
[ Unlike him. Alina’s rover has a full complement. D’Artagnan has the opposite problem, these days. ]
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Too uncommon. It feels strange. You're saving me from my own thoughts, actually.
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[ D’Artagnan smiles down at her. Alina makes for easy, pleasant company. He doesn’t feel remotely uncomfortable with holding her. In fact, it’s nice. It makes him feel better.
He rubs her arm lightly, and lets his head fall back against the back of her bunk. ]
Are your thoughts so bad that you want to escape them? I’m sorry to hear that.
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and he had confessed a lot to her tonight. ]
Everyone has bad thoughts, though.
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Maybe it's not true, but it's the impression she gives off. He rarely ever thinks she looks vulnerable. ]
Everyone does, sometimes.
What is it you're thinking about, Alina? You can tell me. It won't go further than my ears, you have my word.
[ He owes her that much. After all she'd listened to him. ]