[Perceptor never would have been able to admit it back then; he'd have run away, himself, if he'd tried.]

Because we mistrust anything easy.

[He rests his head against Drift's shoulder, his knees feeling a little weak with the sudden realization of what he'd admitted to a moment before. He hadn't actually intended to say that, and it scares him that he had. That Drift might run now... or worse, that he won't.]

This... between us... all of us... it is not zero sum. But I will not allow myself to come between you and Wing. I will respect whatever decision you both make, but you must also respect mine, if it comes to that.